“I want you, Claire. I want you in every way imaginable. But I can’t lose everything, including you, when this goes sideways between us.”
“Why would it go sideways?” Her voice catches and I hate the uncertainty I always manage to fill her with.
“Because I’m messed up, babe. And I will ruin this. It’s only a matter of time.”
She shakes her head, her eyes as clear as a summer sky. “I don’t believe that.”
I chuckle harshly and move to lean back in my chair. 
“If you take me to your bed, Easton, you can’t just walk away from me.”
“I know that,” I say, a strange mixture of anger and relief clogging my throat. 
“So don’t.” She throws out, her eyes flaring with challenge. 
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t ruin it. You’ve always been a risk taker, Easton. A gambler.” 
I blow out a breath, not refuting her statement. Because it’s the truth. I take big risks, willing to lose it all, for that one moment of having it all. “I won’t risk you, Claire.”