“We have a pantry full of food.”
“I’ll clarify…we need to eat more than cheese crackers.”
“We have other things,” he insists, “and a whole bunch of bananas.”
I wrinkle my nose. “They have brown spots.”
“Barely.”
“Too many for me.”
“Even if you’re starving?”
“I’m never that starving.”
He laughs, pulling me tighter and pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
He swallows, and I feel the movement against my skin. “I don’t want to presume anything here, so… what do you think happens now? What do you want to happen between us?”
I pull back, tilting my head up so I can see his eyes. “Are we havingthetalk?”
“Yeah.” He shrugs helplessly. “I spent the better part of the night buried deep inside you. I kinda need some direction here. I never want to do anything to upset you, so I need to know what’s going on in your head.”
“Well,” I deflect, because I am a coward, “what’s going on in yours?”
He doesn’t hesitate. “I love you, Miranda.”
My body goes rigid—a full-body flinch I can’t hide. The last time I heard a man say those words… the fallout nearly ruined me.
Miles feels the change instantly. His hands glide up and down my arms, soothing but alert. “What is it? Why does that freak you out? I feel like there’s something you’re not telling me—something I should know. I want to do right by you, but if I don’t know what’s hurting you, I can’t… I don’t know how to measure my words.”
Emotion swells in my throat so fast it nearly chokes me. “I don’t want you walking on eggshells around me. You should be with someone you can just… be yourself with. I have issues, Miles.” I laugh bitterly. “I think that’s pretty damn clear. You don’t deserve that.”
“Who doesn’t have issues?” His voice is low, earnest, unwavering. “None of us is perfect, Miranda. But with you, I’m the best version of myself. From the moment I met you, I felt this pull—like our souls were already connected and just waiting to find each other again.”
My breath stutters.
“I’m not lying when I say you’ve become my best friend. My day gets better when you smile at me. I’m happiest when we’re together. I loved you as a friend because I thought that’s what you needed, and I was willing to wait. But after last night—after feeling how good we are together—I don’t want to go back. I want to kiss you and love you in every way I can.”
“It’s too soon,” I whisper. “We shouldn’t rush into anything.”
“We’ve been building up to this for six months. It’s not too soon.”
“You should take more time. Really think about it. I’m… a lot.”
“I don’t need time.” His voice deepens—steady, sure. “One fucking moment with you, and I was all in. I’vealwaysbeen all in. I just need you to join me. I need you to love me back.”
“It’s not about love. Idolove you.” My voice breaks. “It’s the risk. I’m not a good bet.”
He cups my face, firm but tender. “Are you kidding? You’re the only bet. I wish you’d share your past with me, what’s holding you back, so I could help. But even if you never do, it doesn’t change how I feel. I don’t care what happened before. I know the woman in front of me. And she’s the one I want.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE
MILES
