Don't Forget Me Tomorrow (Time River, #2)

by A.L. Jackson

She tsked a sound of surprised disbelief. “That boy always seems to know when you’re in trouble, doesn’t he?” I couldn’t keep from rolling my eyes. “He didn’t know I was in trouble. We just happened to be in the same place at the same time.” It wasn’t like he had some sort of sixth sense about me.

“I’m not sure, Dakota, but if you are? I promise I will take care of you. Protect you.” “Why?” “Because protecting you is what I was created to do.”

“We each have our own lives, Ryder.” I forced it out around the tumult. His teeth ground. “You are my life, Dakota.”

“You deserve everything. Had once thought I’d be the one to give it to you.”

“I love you, Dakota. I’m gone for you. Since I was twenty-two fucking years old, I’ve been gone for you. Since you became the one thing in this world that could soothe the ache inside me. Since you became the reason to look beyond my circumstances. Since you reminded me of the good things this world might have to offer.”

“You saved me, Dakota. Saved me when I was lost. When I’d given up. And I keep trying to push you away because I know I don’t deserve you. But I can’t do that any longer. I can’t fucking deny that you are the one thing in this life that I’ve been living for. You are the light breaking the darkness inside me. And I’m begging you, please don’t walk away.”