The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 508

Zane stared at me incredulously. I tilted my head as I tried to make sense of his earlier statement.

For my benefit, he explained patiently, "Even if you trust me around Suzy, you should still be careful. What if... What if Suzy and I crossed the line? What will you do then?" I blinked at him.

He grabbed me by my shoulders and spelled it out for me, "I was hoping you'd get jealous. At least then I'll know you love me."

"Just because I don't get jealous doesn't mean I love you any less," I countered gently as I snaked my arms around his waist. "As far as I'm concerned, open communication and mutual trust are the keys to a healthy, long-lasting relationship." Now, it was Zane's turn to be confused. "But how can love exist without jealousy and possessiveness?"

"We don't have to conform to others' ideas of love," I said. "Something must have happened in their relationships to trigger feelings of mistrust and jealousy, but we've never had a problem we couldn't work out together. So, why should we have to replicate what others have?"

I stared at him evenly. He seemed a little taken aback by my explanation, not that I blamed him. He had never dated anyone before me and didn't know right from wrong.

He held my gaze for a long moment. As comprehension dawned on him, he chuckled and agreed, "You have a point. We decide what we want out of this relationship, and it doesn't matter if our idea of love differs from the norm as long as we're comfortable with it." He fixed me with an uncertain look before adding, "So, I guess what matters is that we're happy together, right?"

nodded in

couple to work

run, they must

and wants. All that matters is that your significant other can fulfill your

cupped my face and kissed me. My eyes fluttered close as I melted into the kiss. When it ended, I patted his

Portia earlier that he would be studying in the library and wouldn't be

...

stared at

the street.

picture the cozy scene beyond the windows. It was probably the same scene he had seen every day before he

him and watch him eat, her

Zachary wondered how he had