Chapter 53

"No, baby, I don't want you to need me. I only want you to want me. What I need is for you to look in the mirror and be happy with the person you see staring back at you because it kills me to know that you don't. I care for you so much, Ken, but I want all of you; not just the bits and pieces you're giving me to keep yourself safe from the rejection you think is imminent" I murmured. He cleared his throat and averted his gaze again. "How long?" he forced out through clenched teeth. "I don't know, Ken. However long it takes. Two weeks, a month, maybe more. It all depends on how you feel," I explained. "A week, nothing more," he declared with conviction causing me to sigh. "Ken, that's not how this works. You can't put a time frame on these things. When you can look at yourself and see a man that you deem worthy of love and affection, then we can discuss our relationship," I reiterated. He took a deep breath and let it out