I could never, ever give him that.
He didn’t know he was trying to squeeze blood from a stone.
For the first time, this felt anything but good.
I pushed his hand away and sat up, trying to get my breathing under control.
I had to be able to keep my thoughts in order. I had to check those pesky emotions.
That was necessary if any of this was going to work.
Mason sat up and ran his hand over his face, his breathing labored. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
What loaded questions.
How could I answer that?
Given who I was.
Given whohewas.
I kissed him again.
I couldn’t help it.
God, I just couldn’t help it.
“I’m great, Mason. I promise,” I told him. It was true.
For reasons that kept changing like the wind.
I pressed my palms to his naked chest. I could feel the thumping of his heart. Mine was pounding just as hard.
I had to get it together. “I’m just thinking we should take it down a notch. Before you go expecting me to expose my soul. I think we need to go through all the steps before we get naked and start oversharing….” My words trailed off.
Look contrite.
Apologetic.
But show him that you want him.
But that you’re scared.
I did want him. That wasn’t a lie. I was scared. That was true too.
Mason kissed the tip of my nose. The corner of my mouth. His hand curled around the side of my neck. Holding me still. Proprietary. Territorial.
Branding.
His erection pressed into my thigh. “We have time, Hannah. I don’t want to rush anything.”
Mouths pressing together. So tenderly.
Strange given the heat and passion we had experienced.
I felt odd. Disjointed.
Torn apart.
