His frown deepened.
“Because I know she needs help,” Aspen rushed to add. “I’ve shared plenty with you about her mental health, but you calling her insane to your friend—”
He was in front of her within a second. “I didn’t use the word ‘insane.’ I told him that she’sunstable. That one second she’s fine, and the next—”
“She’s sending me death threats.”
“He was the deputy with me on the case that day. I had to give him a bit of background information.”
She nodded. It made sense. But there was still a part of her that felt like she’d trusted him with one of the hardest parts of her life, and that information had not only been shared but then used as water-cooler gossip.
Jesse touched her hip. “What exactly did he say to you?”
“Nothing. But he was more than willing to share with Bea in the kitchen.”
“I’m going to kill him,” he growled.
She shook her head, scrubbing her hands over her face. “It’s not just that. It just hit me tonight how tired I am. I’m tired of my mother and Dylan and the problems I’m having writing, when writing used to come so easily. And I’m tired of thinking about you and last night and what we almost did.”
“I told you…I wanted to. You have no idea how much I wanted to. Because I wantyou.”
“I was there and willing. You turned me away.”
“Because one night with you would never be enough, Aspen. So I need to know that you’re in this. I’m terrified of pushing too hard and scaring you away.”
Her heart took off at a faster pace, an intoxicating mix of heat and awareness dancing over her skin.
He tugged her against him, his hands big and warm on her hips. “I’m sorry if I made you think you weren’t wanted. That couldn’t be further from the truth.”
She should step away. Being close to him was dangerous. Hearing him say those words was dangerous. But she couldn’t. She closed her eyes, and the words repeated in her head, sinking deeper inside her. And his scent, that sexy sandalwood…it surrounded her.
“Why?” she whispered.
“Why what?”
“Why do you want me?” She forced her gaze up to meet his again. “I’m not brave or smart or strong. I don’t have money or a good family to share. I don’t even have my life together.”
That familiar frown returned to his face, and one of the hands on her hip slid up her side, only stopping to cup her cheek. “You were brave enough to leave everything you knew in Tennessee, including your best friend, and move across the country to look for a fresh start. You were smart enough to leave a relationship you knew was toxic. And after your mother broke in, you were strong enough to send her away.” He tilted his head. “And I don’t care about the other stuff. Even if you had them, they would be the least interesting things about you. I like you because I amaddictedto everything about you. I’m addicted to your smile. Your laugh. I’m addicted to seeing you first thing in the morning and before I go to bed at night.”
Turn around, Aspen. Walk away before you do something you can’t take back.
But she didn’t. She couldn’t. She slipped her hands up his chest, letting the heat of his skin beneath his shirt warm her. Allowing the strong rhythm of his heart to beat into her.
“Tell me I won’t regret this,” she whispered, almost pleading as she looked up into his eyes. “Tell me this won’t hurt me.”
“You won’t regret this. And I wouldneverhurt you.”
She couldn’t stop herself. She lifted to her toes and kissed him.
He growled as he lifted her into his arms, pulling her entire body flush against his. The kiss was wild and desperate and everything her body craved.Hewas everything she craved.
She kissed him hard before parting her lips to let him in. He delved inside her mouth, and she tasted him. Drowned in him.
He turned them and headed toward the bedroom. When her back touched the mattress, she threaded her fingers through his hair, as if needing something to hold onto. Needed to keep him exactly where he was.
She arched, pressing her body to his. His warmth and strength were everywhere.
His fingers slipped beneath her top and pushed the thin material up. She lifted her arms, and the second it was over her head, she reached for his shirt, needing to feel his skin against hers. Then she slid her fingers down his body. Against the hard ridges of his chest. Perfect. Everything about him was perfect.
