18. Rush

“Love in its essence is spiritual fire.” — Seneca

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(Vera)

End of the world... I sighed softly as I stared into his glinting eyes. The way he was looking at me, so tender, so loving... it twisted my heart, and it made me feel edgy.

My skin prickled in awareness. I wanted to flee and hide and-

It was the year-old fear of letting a person in.

I knew, even now, that Mateo would be more than what my heart could handle. He already was.

"But he will also be everything your heart desires! The way he talks to you...”

Yes. The way he talked to me... I had never thought I was someone who would love to hear such blatant admission on how much he already liked me.

I would have made a puking face if Ezra had ever said it, but when Mateo said that, I felt like I wanted to hear him say things like that, forever, but it was also alarming, the feeling of utter helplessness and neediness. I had never needed anyone much in my life, and I preferred it that way.

And yes, it immediately made me