I closed my eyes, my head spinning. "No. I won't." My eyes met his pleading ones. "We can't."
My throat tightened and my chest ached. Saying no to him was the most difficult thing I'd ever had to do.
"Please. I beg of you." He took a step closer, his hand caressing my jaw. "Please." His voice was soft, his thumb softly wiping the tears from my cheek. "I need you, sweetheart."
The ache in my chest was too strong, making the urge to surrender that much easier. "But, what if -"
"No." He was firm, yet desperate. "Don't do that to yourself; to us. I won't let you." He took a deep breath. "I love you."
His mouth closed over mine, a first kiss twenty years in the making. No longer could I think of pushing him away. I'd known for years of my true feelings for him. It was just too bad it took him this long to catch up.
Softly, he pulled me against him, his arms encasing me fully, securely. Nobody else had ever compared to him.
I pulled away slowly with a last soft peck against his lips. "I've loved you for a long time."