“I think it’s because I didn’t know what I was here for,” I say. “Everything I did — I could do it. But it didn’t mean anything. It didn’t… settle me.”
I glance down at her.
Her eyes are on mine.
“I sleep now,” I say softly. “When you’re here, I sleep.”
There is a quiet gasp from her. I hear it.
“Because I’ve worked it out, Stardust. My purpose isn’t the company. Or the next big invention. My purpose is you. Being what you need. However you need me.”
She blinks, slow and stunned.
And I see it — the moment her heart opens just that little bit more. I feel it happen under my hand, in the way her body curls into mine without hesitation.
“I love you,” I say.
Her mouth opens slightly. She doesn’t speak straight away.
Then she reaches for me — hand on my jaw, thumb brushing my cheekbone.
“You absolute idiot,” she whispers, smiling through the wobble in her voice. “I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”
“Say it back.”
She grins — that slow, stubborn grin she gets when she’s enjoying keeping me waiting. Her fingers trail lightly across my chest, her eyes sparkling like she knows exactly what she’s doing.
“I’m thinking about it,” she says.
I raise an eyebrow. “Thinking about it?”
“Can’t rush these things.”
“Oh, is that right?”
She bites her lip, clearly trying not to laugh. “I mean, you’ve only just confessed to being completely emotionally dependent on me. Might need a minute to consider my options.”
I narrow my eyes. “You are playing with fire, woman.”
She shrugs — cocky, dangerous. “Someone’s got to keep you humble.”
I shift beneath her, slide my hand under the hem of her hoodie, and let my fingers skate across the soft skin of her waist. She jolts instantly, squealing.
“Callum—don’t—!”
“You had your chance,” I say, deadpan, and then I pounce.
It’s not graceful. It’s not strategic. It’s an all-out tickle ambush.
She thrashes, laughing, trying to wriggle away, but I’ve got her pinned with my knees and both hands. “Say it,” I demand, grinning now. “Say it or I swear I’ll find every ticklish spot—”
“You’re a child!”
“Say it.”
“Never!”
I dig my fingers into her side and she shrieks, half-laughing, half-protesting. “You sadistic—fine! Fine, I love you!”
