Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 52338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
"Yes," I answer.
"Good." He gives me a small smile. "Just know that my team and I are already working on things to get you back to your normal life as soon as possible." It almost feels strange thinking of going back to a life where he's not in it, which only makes me wonder what'll happen once all the bad guys are defeated.
"So since you won't tell me about what's currently happening, can we talk about what'll happen with us after all of this is resolved?" I ask slowly.
I'm not even sure what I'm expecting, to be honest. Trent and I are so different. He's much older than me and on a completely different path in life than I am. Maybe I'm being a bit unrealistic to think that someone like him wants to be with a college student still trying to figure their life out. But despite that, I know I like being around him, and I like the way he's treated me in the time that we've been around each other. Each day we spend together seems to bring us closer together, even more so now that I know he's been doing all of this to protect me when he didn't have to.
He shrugs. "I can't really answer that, Morgan," he says, and my heart drops. "Technically, I wasn't even supposed to touch you or get involved with you. I've already crossed so many lines while trying to get the information I need, so it's best if I don't complicate that any further."
I try to keep my face neutral even though his answer fills me with disappointment. Here I am, already thinking about a future with him, and he doesn't even see me in his. The logical part of me knows there's a high possibility that everything he's done this whole time has just been him doing his job. I mean, he was playing the part that he needed to in order to do what he had to do. And maybe it's unrealistic of me to think that something could actually grow from this even though our lives in general aren't compatible. Knowing all of that doesn't stop me from wanting to try, though. And it doesn't stop the hurt that knifes through my chest at the rejection.
"If that's what you think, maybe you should've thought about that before you took my virginity," I say bitterly before I can even stop myself.
He frowns at me. "You're right. And I would have had I known that you were," he states. After a moment, he sighs deeply. "Now that you know the truth, I think it's best if things are kept professional. I don't want to lead you on or make you believe that our relationship is something that it isn't."
"So, what, am I supposed to just forget everything we've done, then?" I ask, anger licking up my spine as I move away from him. "You're the one who initiated all of this, Trent. You pursued me first. You kissed me first. You made a move first. You don't get to make it seem as if I've made all this up in my head." My hands clench into fists as I glare at him. "You simply could've kept this friendly, but you're the one who pushed it to the next level. So don't sit here and make it seem as if I'm misunderstanding our connection or something."
No one says anything for a long moment before he bows his head, slowly nodding. "Okay," he starts. "You're right. I apologize." He blows out a long breath and runs a hair through his dark hair. "I'll be honest; I don't know what'll happen when this is over. My job isn't compatible with relationships. Aside from traveling a lot, anyone I'm connected to will always be in danger because that's what comes with the job. I'm okay with that because that's what I chose for myself, but I can't bring myself to willingly make someone else a permanent target just because they chose me."
"But shouldn't I be able to make that decision?" I ask, folding my arms across my chest.
"You're nineteen, Morgan. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder just because you're dating me?" He gestures around the room. "I mean, look at your current situation. Do you want to move around in life wondering if someone on a rooftop is waiting to snipe you in retaliation for something I've done? Or if something is sitting on the street waiting to snatch you up to use you as bait against me?" He shakes his head. "I don't want that for you. And you shouldn't want that for yourself either."
I grind my teeth as his words settle into my mind. They make sense, but that doesn't make them any easier to hear. I sigh softly.