. . so distant. Sometimes, when I’m thinking about something, I’m not the best company. I didn’t mean to tune you out. If you want to go alone t...night, I will understand.’ Dakota laughed softly, then tilted his face up toward her own. ‘Luke, I don’t want to go without you. I would feel kinda silly without you. It’s just that you are already a very special person to me. I was afraid that you hadn’t enjoyed our afternoon activities.’ Once again, Luke dropped his face to her chest. Dakota stroked. I was just twenty-four, just a bit older than you by about six months, but that wasn't really the main issue. I wanted to be with you, to move in with you the moment you asked, but then I'd be completely trapped for good, unable from that point to deny anything else of myself to you. I'd then break that vow and become your wife, then becoming little by little as I feared just another possession of yours. I know this feeling was unworthy of me, that you would have indeed cherished me and not. The second game was no different."I really don't want to be in the sun again," Matthew whispered to me as Tim went back to serve.We needed to break their serve and get the ball back."I got an idea," I nodded as I fell back.As usual, Tim's ball came in like a fireball on steroids. I hit it up, and as usual, Matthew set me up for another good spike. Instead, I tipped it sideways, letting the ball fall slowly over the net. I had been planning that set up for most of the two games. Not once had I. That is why I’m careful about marks when I have to punish you,” I told her. “I’m also careful not to bruise your spirit. Take the punishment you’re receiving; it’s not for wanting to help your sister. You are being punished for attempting to run away and breaking your promise. The feelings and desires that drove you to try to run, those I admire and want you to keep. If you had tried to convince me to find a way for you to help Sophia instead of running, you and Hope wouldn’t be in the.