Hailee's POV
"You always do this," he said, his voice low but shaking with anger. "You pull me close, then push me away. Ten years, Hailee. Ten years I've waited, and you still won't let me have even a piece of you."
I swallowed hard, my back pressing against the counter. "Frederick, I—I didn't mean—"
"You didn't mean?" he snapped, his eyes flashing. "Then what did you mean? You kiss me, you let me touch you, you look at me like I'm the only one here—and then you say stop."
His voice cracked, anger and hurt tangled together. "Do you enjoy this? Do you enjoy making me want you, then tearing it away?"
My lips parted, but no words came.
He dragged a hand through his hair, pacing a step before spinning back to me, his jaw tight. "I'm not your toy, Hailee. I've given you everything. I've protected you. Raised your boys. Stayed at your side when no one else would. And still—it's not enough for you."