CHAPTER 67

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Run

A finger gently rubbed her cheeks. She opened her eyes and smiled at the sight of Danny's hooded gray ones. He pulled her into a kiss, tasting her bottom then top lip. Her back arched and her toes curled. Her body warmed underneath him.

He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “How about a shower?”

“Sounds good,” she said.

He threw the covers off and walked into the bathroom. Marnie grimaced. His body had shielded her from the sunrays, but now the light streamed in, blinding her. She lay back on the bed. The weight of last night fell on her shoulders.

She didn't belong here. It was clearer now than it had ever been before. She was a weight that was dragging Danny down. If she hadn't been here, he wouldn't have nearly died trying to save her from the tiger. He would've been able to run with his brother to safety, unscathed. Plus, she wouldn't be standing in the way of a future he could have with Nia. He had apologized to her. He wouldn't have done that if he didn't care.

Plus, he's not in love with me. Sure, he'd been her knight in shining armor. He was a good man, no matter what Brian thought. If she was honest with herself, she wasn't ready for love. Fuck what the therapist said. Love hurt, and Marnie didn't think she could handle having Danny break her heart. She'd been sad last night, but that would be nothing compared to the pain she would feel when he came to terms with his feelings for Nia.

If she left now, he'd still be a good man in her eyes. He deserved that. To have someone who could testify to his good qualities.

The screech of water hitting the tub broke her concentration. She needed to leave now, before she lost her nerve. Marnie got out of bed and dragged her suitcase out of the closet. Fortunately, she was already packed for the tour Danny was about to go on. She unzipped the case and began to stuff her remaining items in.

“Marnie?”

She turned around. A white towel was wrapped around his waist. Her eyes fell onto his chest and she sighed. His cute little nipples looked soft in the morning light. The shower's steam wafted around him.

“Are you going somewhere?” His brows knitted together.

“Danny, I have to leave. I can't keep hiding in your life.”

“You're not hiding. You're a part of it.” He blinked. “Marnie, I—”

Do you love me?

“I need you,” he said.

“You'll find someone else. You've done so much for me, but I'm on another leg of the journey, and I need to go it alone. Please try to understand. I don't want to hurt you…” Her voice trailed off. It hurt to even speak the words.

“But you need to go?” He finished for her. “Interesting morning revelation.”

He crossed the space dividing them and took her in his arms. His kiss was hot and filled with desperation. A moan escaped her lips. If an image of last night's kiss hadn't popped in her mind, she might have relented. She tore her lips away from his and buried her face in the crook of his neck.

Gently, his hands wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her away from him. She lowered her eyes, afraid to look into pools of smoky gray eyes. He dipped down and their eyes locked. “Alright, baby.” He pulled her into a tight hug. “I guess there's nothing I can say to change your mind.”

She wiggled out of his embrace and took a seat on the edge of the bed.

He bit his lip and stared at her, squinting. Then, as if a flash of brilliance came to him, he went back into the bathroom and returned with his wallet. “Here.” He stuffed a wad of cash in her hand and walked past her. “Don't move.”

Marnie busied herself continuing to fill her suitcases. She was just about done when he returned.

“Take this too.” He placed a check in her hand. Marnie's eyebrows rose when she read the figure.

“Two hundred thousand dollars?! Danny, I can't take this.”

“It's the least I can do. You did save my life.”

“I didn't save your life. I almost got you killed.”

“Well, it's the thought that counts,” he said sheepishly. “Look you've worked for me for a year and a half. That's worth something. Don't fight me on it.”

Marnie took the check, and gratefully put it in her purse.

“Thank you.”

“Let me help you with your bags.”

He walked her to the elevator. Marnie pulled him into a kiss. She had to taste him one last time.

Danny pulled away, dazed. They stood there panting for a second, before he called for his bodyguard.

“Let Jackson take you to the airport. That is where you want to go, isn't it?”

Marnie nodded. As Jackson and Marnie entered the elevator, Danny pulled her in for one last kiss, nearly knocking her crutches out of the way.

“Be safe, Marnie, and call me when you get to where you're going.”

Marnie smiled and waved at him. If she said anything else, she would burst into tears and lose her nerve.