I avert my gaze to his chest where I’m holding his t-shirt in my fist with a vice grip.
When his finger goes near my breast, I let out a quiet gasp.
After reading so many romance books, I know exactly what happens. If anything, I know a little too much. However, it’s too intense in reality. Those words don’t even come close to how I’m feeling right now.
His steady gaze makes me forget my name. His touch makes me forget to breathe. And his heat makes me want to curl up against him and never move.
All of this is too much but I can’t bring myself to say no. Because I want this. I want him.
I’ve wanted him for a long time now.
I’m ready for it.
I know it.
Heath reads the look in my eyes and says, “Rose?—”
“I want you.”
Shock flashes across his face, as he pulls back his hand. “What?”
I nod. “Iwantyou.”
Running a hand through his hair, he exhales. “Fuck. Don’t say those words. You don’t know what they do to me.”
“I mean it,” I tell him.
His eyes close. “For fuck’s sake.”
Doubt plants its seed in me the longer he makes me wait. I can’t help but utter the words with deep sadness. “I’m sorry… I didn’t know that you don’t?—”
His eyes open and he glares at me. “No! It’s not that.”
I stare at him with uncertainty.
“I mean it, Rose. I want you. Fuck. I want you so bad, it’s driving me insane,” he says slowly.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I want you to be ready.”
My eyebrows pinch in thought. “I am ready.”
“You are not.”
“How can you say that?”
“What happened a week ago was a disaster. And just yesterday, your dad hurt you again. I want you to be okay right now and not rush into this to feel better.”
A rope ties around my chest at his words. “You do make me feel better.”
“I know but this is serious. It is huge.”
“It’s sex. People have sex.” I end up saying without thinking.
He speaks calmly, “Yes, they do. But for you I want to make it special. We haven’t even gone out on a date yet.”
“I don’t want special, I just want you.”
