Free The Deliverance of Dilan (The Syndicate #4) by Kathy Coopmans

I want to do is hurt her any more than I already have. Fuck, I could float on a cloud with how stunning she is. Even with her hair all wild and her makeup smeared on her face. My hands need to be in that hair, tugging it, so I can claim her neck with my lips. Her mouth with mine. Own her.
    She’s scared. I hate it. I understand her hesitancy. It was hard as fuck living the damn lie that I don’t need her. But the fear to protect her was so deep I forced myself to see past the fact I broke her heart in the process. That the fear of being without her is a hell of a lot stronger than any other fear I’ve had.
    “I’ll be there,” I say to my uncle and hang up. I shove my phone back into my pocket, not once pulling my eyes off of her. I haven’t been this close to her in months and fuck, now that she’s right here in this room with me, looking at me like she can’t decide if she wants to swallow me in one bite or take her time and savor me, I’m unable to move. She’s never looked at me like that before. Frightened, vulnerable, and sexy as fucking sin. Fuck me.
    We stand there, staring at each other, for longer than I want. All I want to do is go to her. Kiss her and tell her everything she wants to know with that kiss. That given the chance, I will savor her, sampling everything she has and ordering enough to last me a lifetime.
    “How long are we staying here?” she tries to boldly ask. Up till now, her voice has been strong, and now even though she’s still trying to be, there is no denying the shakiness in her tone.
    “A few days. Does that bother you, Anna? Knowing you’re here in a room with me by yourself?” I prod, silently praying she says what I want her to say. I would gladly stay here forever, swear to Christ I would, if it were to seal the safety of her and those we both care about.
    Fuck. How the hell I even got those words out of my mouth is beyond me. My goddamn palms are sweaty. I’m just as nervous as she is. My stare just as determined.
    “No. I’m not afraid of being alone with you, Dilan. I’m afraid of my feelings for you. They haven’t changed at all.” Now, she’s confident. She doesn’t even have to speak; her eyes are speaking for her. I choose my next words carefully. I have a damn good idea the same thing is running through her beautiful head as it is through mine. Where does this leave her and me? Will I run from her again? Hell, no. I’m not running anymore. I need her. I care about her, trust her, and want her. I need a yes from her. One word is all it will take.
    “Can I ask you a question?” I raise my brow to challenge her, let her know I’m serious.
    “Of course,” she replies.
    “When you asked me if I overheard you telling Deidre how you felt about me, is all of that still true? Do you still feel the same? Do you still want me, Anna? Do you still want me to kiss you? To touch you?” I slowly walk her way. For months, she’s lived inside my head and soul. I’m claiming her. She’s already claimed me.
    Her eyes follow me until I break between the small wall separating the bathroom and the doorway. Her eyes are right there when I step under and through the entrance to the bathroom. They’re still on me when I stop just inches from her. Her breath catches. Her chest moves up and down. Frantically. Rapidly.
    “That was five questions,” she says smugly.
    “Well, then I want five answers, Anna,” I challenge once again. I move in closer. My hands are craving to dig into her hair. My mouth is aching to touch hers. She steps back until her sexy little ass is up against the counter. I have no answer to why my nerves are gone. Maybe because I know this is right. I’ve wanted this for so long, never thinking I could have it. What I’ve wanted is right here in front of me, and fuck me if it doesn’t feel like it was meant to be.
    “Yes to all five, but…” she whispers.
    “But what, Anna?” I bring my hand up, brushing my fingers down her cheek until I’m