Hunger (Seductors #2) (30 page)

“We need to do it a little differently this time then,” I mused, moving to straddle him. Oliver looked surprised at my sudden action. “I’ve been fighting my feelings ever since I met you. I’m not running again.”

“You’ve confessed enough tonight. I can wait, I promise. I don’t want to put pressure on you. That’s where I went wrong the last time. I won’t lose you again, Jade.”

“No, I want to do this. Oliver, before I met you, I had nothing. No one wanted me or cared, and I was scared you’d wake up one day and not want me, either. But I’m not afraid anymore.”

“You’ll never need to be afraid. There will
never
come a time that I don’t want you. I’ve never been a selfish man, but with you, I can’t help it. You’re the one I want for myself. Do you understand what I’m trying to say? I don’t care if my uncle or the
whole world
thinks I’m crazy because you’re not a nuclear physicist or some highflying, rich businesswoman. I never wanted that in my partner anyway. You are all I’ve ever wanted. I knew that the moment I met you.”  

“I’ve never felt a love this crippling before. It scares me. I’d do anything for you, to make you happy.”

“Jade,” he gasped, sitting up.

“I’m madly in love with you, Oliver Kirkham. You know that, right?”

“Yes,” he beamed triumphantly, stroking my face softly. “I’ve known it for a while now.” Why wasn’t he saying it back? I tried to fight back the panic, but what if he didn’t love me after what I done? No, he’d already admitted it to his uncle; I’d heard him. I was being silly. “What’s wrong, Sweetheart?” he asked, tilting my chin up so I had to look at him.

“Y…you haven’t said it back.”

He moved so we were nose to nose. His hand was in my hair, his sweet breath tickling my face. “Jade, I
never
stopped loving you. Of course I love you, too.” My lips were hard against his, my hands gripping, pulling at his hair. Oliver
still loved me. Even though I heard him tell his uncle, I was elated at hearing it directly from him.

We were lost in each other after our declarations, consumed by our love.

I took comfort in his words. With what lay ahead of us, I needed to know he’d be there to catch me, because little did he know, our journey had only just begun.

I had to believe that we’d get the chance to be together, because if we didn’t, I would die trying.

Discovering the existence of the power core was still only the beginning of this mission, though. I needed to find its location and gain access to it, but more importantly, I had to find a way to outsmart my client and possibly hand over the wrong core if Oliver decided to abandon the whole thing.

There was still so much to consider, but I knew it wouldn’t take long to gain all the answers. Oliver loved me. I was his confidant now. I may have tricked him to get to this point, but I wasn’t going to let him down. I would never let him down again.

He was all I
hungered for and I’d follow him until the end. Our love, no matter the obstacles, would keep me strong.