She stared at him, waiting for a response, but he didn’t know what to say to her.“You belong now.You have your sisters.”
“I want you.”
He steeled his spine.Wanting was one thing.Trusting, caring, and depending on each other were entirely different.
Clouds dimmed the natural light coming through the window.The color in her cheeks had faded, but he saw a muscle in her jaw clench.She looked away, wrapping her arms around herself.“I don’t agree it was ‘for the best’ that we split up.”
Okay, that stung.“Our problems went deeper than just that one fight, Roxie.”
“I know.We just didn’t understand how to work through things.Growing up, our first inclination was always to defend ourselves.”
Billy rolled his shoulders.The weight in the air was becoming unbearable.“I know I was wild, and you didn’t like the racing.”
She took a tiny step forward.Inches, really.“I was afraid for you.I was scared you’d get hurt, but look where it led with your big, fancy job.”
He glanced around the plain living room.Oh yeah, he was living the good life.
“You’re the best of the best, Billy.”She swallowed hard, and the bravado she was so good at portraying cracked.“I’m sorry I pushed you away.You were closer to me than anyone, and it really hit hard when we started having problems.”
“I know.It hit me, too.”
“I’m sorry I hurt you.I’m sorry I hurt us.”
He ran a hand over his stomach, trying not to come too close to his heart.“We were both at fault.I hadn’t realized before how much I do rationalize away things that are bad.I’ve just had to fight for so much, Rox.I could have fought harder for us.”
“I don’t want to be on guard against everything and everyone.Against you.”Her right foot cocked back on its heel.“I want to let you in, Billy, I really do.I love you.”
He went still.Time nearly stopped.“What?”
“I love you, but you’re right.I’m scared.”She shrugged and looked towards the door.She looked like she could bolt at any minute.“So… there’s that…”
He took too long to answer, and she made her move.He caught her by hooking an arm around her waist.
“That’s a lot,” he said gruffly, pulling her to him.
His heart was pounding.She loved him?He knew she wanted him, but it had been so long since he’d heard those words.
They were everything.
He tucked her hair behind her ear and cupped her face.“I don’t want you to be scared of me, Roxie.I can’t say I won’t hurt you again, but I won’t turn on you.”
“Will you leave?”
He sucked in a hard breath.“Why do you think I kept coming back?”
Her lips twisted, and she shook her head.She was trying not to cry.“To see Charlie?”
“To see you.”He blinked a little too fast, too.He was having a hard time letting himself believe it was true.All those lofty thoughts about faith and trust weren’t so easy for him, either.“I wanted to talk to you… maybe steal a kiss…”
“Then why did you always go?”
Because hehadbeen an idiot?“Because I convinced myself you were bad for me.”
He could see the doubt moving back in.Her eyes were cloudy like the heavy sky outside.
“Maybe I am,” she whispered.“People always said that I’m trouble.”
He wanted those people’s names and addresses.Now.“You’re hell on wheels,” he said gruffly, “but that’s part of your charm.”
