“Stay,” I whispered, looking directly into his eyes, feeling a surge of certainty well up inside me. I wanted him to stay—not just tonight, but in my life. I wanted him to hold me through the night, to wrap me in the same sense of comfort and safety he gave me during the day. For once, I wanted to let myself fully embrace the solace he brought into my world.
“You want me to stay?” he asked softly, his voice tinged with both surprise and a need for clarity, as if he wanted to make absolutely sure he understood what I meant.
“Yes,” I replied, the word catching in my throat. My voice was strained, but it carried all the truth I felt.
“Then I’ll stay,” he said simply, his hands reaching for me. He pulled me closer, tucking me into his strong embrace. “Don’t be sad, sunshine,” he murmured, h
