“I don’t doubt that,” he replied, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips.“But I can protect you too.And I want to.”
She shook her head, putting distance between them, though her pulse kept pace with his presence.“You don’t evenknowme.Not really.”
“I know enough to want more.”His voice was soft but carried a weight that made her chest ache.“You’re intelligent.Talented.Passionate about your work.You’re strong, even when you’re scared.And you have this way of lighting up a room without even trying.”He took another step forward, his gaze never wavering.“Don’t tell me I don’t know you at all, Natalie.Because I see you.”
Her breath hitched, the force of his words sliding past her carefully constructed walls.
“Rylan,” she whispered, her voice unsteady.“I don’t know if I can do this.If I can trust you.”
His eyes locked on hers, his tone a quiet promise.“Then let me earn it.”
Natalie’s heart pounded, each beat ricocheting through her as she stared up at him.His presence was a gravity she couldn’t seem to fight, his words both terrifying and intoxicating.She wanted—good grief, shewanted—to believe him, to surrender to the pull between them.
But trust… trust wasn’t something she could hand over easily.Not anymore.Not after what she’d learned the hard way.
And yet, she wasn’t entirely sure if she was walking away from him… or being pulled closer despite herself.
Chapter 18
Rylan waited, his gaze locked on her as she lingered at the front door.Her hand rested on the handle, but she wasn’t turning it.It was as if she felt the same invisible tether he did—an almost physical pull that kept her rooted in place.
“Okay,” he said suddenly, the word coming out firmer, more decisive than he’d planned.
She turned, one brow lifting, her eyes narrowing just slightly.“Okay?”she repeated, clearly unsure what he was getting at.
“Okay,” he echoed, taking a measured step toward her, his jaw tightening.“Let’s get to know each other.”
Her confusion shifted to suspicion, those green eyes sharpening.“Get to know me?”
“Yes,” he said simply, though his tone dropped into something quieter, heavier, as he moved closer.“What are you doing tonight?”
Her brows knit together in a mix of surprise and irritation.“You want to get to know me?”
“Yes,” he said again, this time with a faint twitch of his lips, the start of a smile he didn’t quite let loose.
“And you’re willing to become my friend?”she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
He shrugged—an easy, careless motion—but the truth was, the idea of friendship with her didn’t feel simple at all.“If it leads to something more, then yes.I’ll become your friend.”A soft, incredulous laugh escaped her, and he found himself leaning forward slightly, drawn to the way that sound wrapped around him.“What’s funny about friendship?”he asked.
Natalie shook her head, folding her arms across her chest, a protective gesture he’d seen before.“You can’t go into a friendship with the sole intention of turning it into… something more.That’s not how it works.”
“Then we’ll do things our own way,” he countered smoothly, stepping closer again until he could see her breathing change.His voice lowered, rich and certain.“And don’t even try to convince me that you don’t want this, Natalie.I can see it in your eyes.”
Her green eyes widened, but she didn’t step back.He reached up, brushing his fingertips along her cheek, letting them trail down the delicate line of her jaw before coming to rest lightly over the steady flutter of her pulse.“And here,” he murmured.
For a moment, she didn’t move.Her breath caught, her body tense as his touch sent heat curling low in her stomach.
“Rylan, we can’t—”
“That’s your brain talking,” he interrupted, his voice silken but edged with command.“Stop thinking and start feeling.”
He eased back a step, giving her space, but his gaze stayed locked on hers.“What are you doing tonight?”he asked again.
Natalie exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself.Her lips pressed into a stubborn line before a flicker of mischief sparked in her eyes.“Tonight is my yoga class.”
“Yoga?”His brows lifted in surprise.
She slung her bag over her shoulder, that glint in her eyes sharpening.“Yes.I can bring a guest.The class starts at six.If you’re serious about getting to know me, you can join me.”
