Jenn moved away from him and swiped at tears on her face. Darian debated whether to pursue or let her go. She was a proud woman, one who didn't like being out of control. Right now, she was nowhere near control.
"I won't let myself love you, and I won't let you fall in love with me," she added, snatching her coat and jerkily pulling it on as she strode to the door.
"Too late," he replied.
She froze, hand on the doorknob.
"For me, anyway," he added carefully, moving towards her. "Anything Jonny and the Others do to you, they do to me. You can't run from me, Jenn, any more than you can run from yourself."
Her hand dropped.
"Now, about my question," he pushed again.
"I'm sensing any objection I have to this game is futile," she said after a pause. Her voice was ragged.
"You can object all you want. But this isn't a game you'll win. I'll push you until you break. Eventually, you'll give up and admit you see what's right in front of your face."
"One condition, and I'll answer your question."
"Depends on the condition," he replied.
"If the Others take me to the immortal world, and you must choose between me and the fate of humanity, you will save the mortal world," she said, turning to look up at him again.
Darian met her gaze, debating. It was a loaded question by a woman capable of manipulating a situation to her advantage.
"My devotion to being a Guardian is the foundation of who I am. I won't accept you, if you don't understand that about me."
"Deal." He reached forward, half expecting her to punch him, and wiped the tears from her cheek with his thumb.
"Then my answer is yes," she said.
"You earned yourself another cheeseburger," he said. He dropped his hand and stepped aside, motioning to the living room.
Jenn hesitated before moving past him. Darian relaxed, aware he'd won the hardest battle yet. His gaze followed her as she sat on the couch again. Their exchange kicked her ass more than an hour of sparring. She rubbed her face.
Until she recovered, he was content to feed her. She'd lost too much weight over the past couple of weeks. Sofi and Bianca had taught him how to care for someone else, and he was going to put those lessons to good use with his stubborn mate. Like him, she didn't know when to throw in the towel. Darian retrieved more cheeseburgers and beers from the kitchen.