She rolls her eyes, so I grab her chin. The smell of her pink starburst lip gloss fills my senses, and I need to taste her. But I need her to understand that I’m not with her for clout, I’m notin love with her for what she does for work–– Jesus Christ, that would be low of me–– I just cannot get enough of her. I feel like I can’t fucking breathe if she’s not around. Whatever I do in my life won’t matter without her by my side.
I search her eyes, knowing that I can’t just lean in and kiss her. It’s not enough. I need to tell her how I feel. I need to use my words. I’ve never been good with words. I’m good with a fucking hockey stick, and that’s about it.
I exhale, searching her eyes. How do I say this correctly? And I shudder, feeling like I’m going to butcher this.
“I––”
I stare at her, remembering that she’s patient and the sweetest, most outgoing, and considerate person I’ve ever met. She deserves a man who can express his feelings. If she chooses me, then I need to step up to the plate and be what she deserves.
I press my lips together.
“I couldn’t bear the thought that Dane was offering himself to you. I thought,there’s no fucking way she’ll choose me over a guy like that. I don’t have what he has. I can’t buy you the world, Ce, and you deserve that and more. I don’t think that I–– alone–– was enough for you.”
There it is.
I know I’m not good enough for her.
She deserves the whole world, and I’m not sure I can be the guy to give it to her.
I search her face and swallow the lump in my throat. I trace her cheek with my fingertip, wondering what she’s thinking.
“You didn’t even ask me what I wanted.”
“I’m sorry.” I gaze into her eyes, and it’s clear to me that she loves me back—a small smile tugs at my lips.
“Don’t assume again.”
I nod, watching her expression soften. “I won’t.”
She leans in and says, “For what it’s worth, I love you, too.”
My heart sinks at those words. I’m so fucking happy to hear her say that. My smile grows wider. I grab her chin, watching a smile bloom on her lips. “That’s fucking worth everything.”
She leans her forehead on mine. “But as a friend.”
I pull back to look at her. She’s wearing a big smile.
“A friend?” I question. “Are you friend-zoning me?”
She shakes her head. “I always want to be friends first, okay?”
I nod. “Okay. I can work with that.”
She hovers her lips above mine. “Then it looks like you’re stuck with me forever.”
My thumb plays with her bottom lip, and my mouth is craving the taste of strawberries. I can smell it on her breath. It’s taking every single ounce of me not to lean in and eat her up. I lick my lips and then look into her eyes. “If we’re just friends, can I kiss you whenever I want?”
She nods. “I’m yours, Dylan.”
“Only mine?”
“Only yours.”
I close the distance between us and kiss her.
She inhales, kissing me back.
She moans in my mouth, and that moan makes my dick immediately hard. “I love you so fucking much,” I confess.
