Chapter 71: Don’t Believe Me
Dane’s POV
"I have to go home... it’s late." She tried to sit up from the mat, but I gently pinned her down, climbing over her without putting any weight on her. Her brows furrowed, clearly confused by my sudden action, but I didn’t move further. I didn’t touch her inappropriately. I just... stared. God, she was beautiful. The way the moonlight kissed her skin, the little crease between her brows, her lips slightly parted—it was enough to knock the air out of my lungs. I could stay like this forever. And that flutter in my chest again... what the hell was that? Am I falling in love with her?
My wolf scoffed in the back of my mind. "Of course you are, idiot. It’s painfully obvious."
I swallowed hard, my heart racing as the words tumbled out before I could stop them. "I think I’m falling in love with you, Hailee."
Her eyes widened, stunned, her mouth opening just slightly in disbelief. She didn’t say anything for a second. I didn’t blame her—hell, I hadn’t expected to say that out loud either. I’d known her for only a few days, but it felt like she’d already carved a permanent space inside me.
Hailee suddenly scoffed, her tone sharp and disbelieving. "You can’t be serious."
"I am," I cut in, my voice firmer now. "I’m definitely serious. I’ve never been this serious in my entire life."
Her face twisted into a mix of frustration and disbelief. "Dane, we made out. That’s it. You don’t love me. You can’t fucking love me. That’s not what this is."
I blinked, her words hitting harder than I expected. But still... I shook my head. "Don’t tell me what I feel. I know what this is. It’s not just lust or a heat-of-the-moment thing. I feel something for you, Hailee. I don’t care how fast or reckless it seems—I know it’s real."
Her chest rose and fell as she exhaled sharply. Then her frown deepened.
"Please get off me," she said. "I need to get dressed. I need to go home."
I hesitated, not ready to move, not ready to let the moment end like this—but the look in her eyes left no room for argument. Reluctantly, I shifted off her and watched as she sat up, grabbing her clothes, her back to me now.