Lucas’s features softened as he lost that bouncer look that made it seem like he was ready to bash heads in. “You should stay with me.”
“While that sounds like fun, I can’t leave Kaylee. I’ll be fine. Besides, I’m hardly alone now since I have to rely on others for transportation.” I wasn’t concerned about Josh, but I understood why Lucas was.
“I still want to protect you.” His long legs ate up the space between us until he had me caged against the island.
“I don’t want to see Josh break any of your bones. Don’t ruin your career in football because of that asshole. I would never forgive myself if that happened.”
He guided my chin upward. “Look at me.”
When I met his eyes, they were intense.
He moved hair off my face. “God, Mazzie. I can’t hold back any longer. I know you might not be ready to hear this?—”
I touched his lips. “Then don’t say it.” My stomach knotted. “Because you can’t take the words back.”
I wasn’t so blind that I couldn’t see that Lucas was falling for me. But I wasn’t prepared to hear those words.
“I don’t want to take them back.” He brushed his lips over mine. “I’m in love with you, Midnight. Hook, line, and sinker.” He flattened his hands on the counter on either side of me. “I don’t expect you to feel the same way. I can sense your steel armor protecting your emotions.” He swallowed. “You’re in my thoughts every minute. You give me purpose. Sure, I care about football. I care that I get an NFL contract. But I also care deeply for you. I care that you’re safe, you're happy, and I want to be your king.” His mouth spread into a lopsided grin on that last line.
I’d lost my breath before he even said he was in love with me. I didn’t believe in fairy tales or men who said all the right things. But Lucas… He’d shown me he was a gentleman. He’d shown me his kindness. But was that enough? Was I ready to take a steep step and confess my feelings?
I shuddered, itching to run, afraid to put my heart on the line even though it was telling me I felt the same way about him.
He nuzzled his nose in my neck. “Breathe, Maze. I got you.”
As if “I got you” was the trigger, the tears finally cascaded out like a rushing waterfall after a hard rain. No one had ever assured me they had my back—not my mom and not even my dad. I was the protector—helping my mom, taking care of Kaylee. I was grateful my dad paid my college tuition, but that was as far as it went.
I rested my forehead on his chest and inhaled deeply before lifting my gaze to meet his.
He wiped a tear off my cheek, his copper eyes glossy.
“Lucas…” I released a silent breath. “I have never been in love with anyone. But when I’m with you, you make me feel like a queen. I’m afraid that I’m going to wake up one day and find that you and I were just a dream. I can’t…”
I ducked under his arm. I needed air. I needed distance. Love was terrifying, and needing someone meant that it would hurt if they left. And I wasn’t prepared for that.
My chest rose and fell as I headed toward my bedroom, afraid to look over my shoulder. Because if I did, I knew I would see the pain on his face.
What are you doing, idiot? You’re falling for him. Buck up and tell him. So what if things don’t work out? But what if things do work out? What if he’s your future?
I swiped a finger under my nose as I continued to cry, walked into my messy bedroom, and froze. I felt as though I’d walked into the darkness as bad memories accosted me. The struggles, the fights with my mom, the men she’d brought home, the men who’d thought they could touch me.
Then turn around and walk into the light.
“I thought you were done lying to yourself,” Lucas said from somewhere behind me.
Kaylee’s words blared in my head. He really is good for you, Mazzie. I love seeing you happy.
Being with Lucas, I felt less alone in the world. What scared me the most—he was a senior, and I was a junior. At the end of the school year, he would be in the NFL draft, and I was afraid I would be a distant memory.
A gut-wrenching pain gripped my stomach, and I knew it would never go away unless…
I spun around and ran back to him.
He stood at the other end of the hall, his eyes filled with tears.
I slowed to a walk. “I can’t breathe without you.”
He wrapped those big muscular arms around me, and the world righted itself. Then he kissed me everywhere. “Please don’t do that again.”
