Prologue

He watched her as she slept, the woman's naked form pressed against his own. Her head rested on his bare chest, her hand on his abdomen. And as he watched her, his hand running ever so gently through her dark locks of hair, a thought came to him, his chest tightening at the realization.

He didn't deserve her.

And with that, he carefully lifted her, sliding his body out from underneath hers and stood up, out of bed. He released a soft sigh, bent to retrieve his boxers when her soft words surprised him.

"Don't leave."

He froze, for just a moment and then slipped the pair of cotton shorts on. "I was just going to the kitchen, grab a glass of water," he lied easily.

Of course, she was able to tell and she in return released a long breath, the creaking of springs letting him know that she was moving from the bed... Soon enough her arms were wrapped around his waist from behind, her bare chest pressed against his back, lips brushing against the skin of his shoulder.

"I love you," she told him plainly.

His eyes closed at the admission, calloused hands sliding over her arms before settling to cover over her hands. He gave them a light squeeze, "I love you, too."

He felt her lips curl up in a smile.

"Then what's the problem?"

He turned around in her arms and then wrapped his arms loose around her, "You deserve better. You deserve a man that would be able to buy you the world, not a poor bastard like me, working demon bars, trying to pay for law school."

She shook her head at him, rolled her eyes, "I don't want the world. I want you."

"Cordelia-"

"Lindsey," she interrupted. A smile on her lips. She pressed her lips against his, "I love you, I'm in-love with you... Please, don't run away."

He frowned at her. Noticed the slight fear in her beautiful hazel eyes. "I won't," he promised a second later.

And she nodded, a bright smile on her lips and a playful glint in her eyes. She retracted her arms from around his waist, slowly running her hands up his stomach, feeling the muscles beneath her palms jump from her touch, and settled her hands on his shoulder blades. She leaned closer to him, tracing the side of his jaw with her lips, pressing her body closer to his... Grinning at his obvious arousal. She nipped gently at his earlobe, causing him to let expel a shuddered breath. She whispered into his ear, "I love you."

He never tired of hearing those words. His arms tightened around her waist, "I love you, too, sweetheart."

"Show me," she pleaded.

And he groaned when she ground her hips against his. He lifted her up and pulled her against him a breath later, her legs wrapping around his waist as a giggle escaped her lips. He crushed his lips against hers, stepping towards the bed and pressing a knee against the plush surface...

She deserved better, but she wanted him and that was more than enough reason for him never to let her go.