"Yes," I whisper."More than."
His fingers trace slow circles on my hip."You surprised me, Skye.I didn't think you'd come tonight."
"Neither did I."
He chuckles low in his throat."Why did you?"
I shift slightly, nestling closer."Because when you tell me to give in...something in me wants to.Because I feel safe with you."
His breath catches, and I feel his lips press against my temple."That might be the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."
I smile, even though he can't see it behind the blindfold."It's true."
"I want to protect you," he murmurs, his fingers trailing up my spine."Not just here.Everywhere."
The weight of his words settles over me, warm and terrifying all at once.This is exactly what I was afraid of--this moment where the lines blur beyond recognition.Where Professor Gage and Dominant Gage become one person who wants more than I've ever let anyone have.
"Can I ask you something?"His voice breaks through my thoughts.
"Yes."
"Why do you push me away outside of here?"
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly tight."Because it's safer."
"For who?"
"For me," I admit, the words barely audible."For both of us."
His hand stills on my back."Explain."
I take a deep breath, grateful for the blindfold hiding my expression."Every person I've ever let close has either left or gotten hurt.My dad left.My mom is sick.I've spent my whole life being the responsible one, the one who holds everything together."
"And you think I'll leave too?"His voice is careful, measured.
"Or I'll hurt you.Or this will blow up and ruin everything we've both worked for."My fingers curl against his chest.
He's silent for a long moment, his heartbeat steady beneath my palm."Those are all valid concerns."
"They are," I agree, surprised by his acknowledgment.
"But they're also excuses."
I stiffen slightly."They're not…"
"They are," he cuts me off, voice gentle but firm."They're reasons to keep your walls up.To stay safe in your carefully constructed life."
"What's wrong with wanting safety?"I challenge.
His fingers trace up my spine, making me shiver."Nothing.Except when it keeps you from living."
I let that sink in, the truth of it settling uncomfortably in my chest."It's not that simple."
"It never is," he agrees."But consider this: what if I don't leave?What if we don't ruin each other?What if, just maybe, we're exactly what the other needs?"
My breath hitches at the possibility he's lying out.It's everything I want and everything I'm terrified of wrapped into one simple question.
"You don't know what you're asking for," I whisper.