“Don't get the two confused.
“Trust me. I’m doing you a favor.
“I’m not the girl you’re looking for.”
Then his slow smile unfolds, lazy and lethal.
I narrow my eyes. “What?” I snap.
His gaze drops to my mouth.
“Just listenin’ to you list out all the shit you’re gonna end up doin’ with me.”
Audacity drips off my laugh. “Excuse me?”
He’s full-blown grinning now.
“Sounded a whole lot like a wishlist.”
His eyes roam all over me.
“Dessert. Hoodie. Sleeping next to me.
“Hand-holdin’. Mornin’ coffee.
“Aux cord fights.
“Passin’ F-bombs back and forth.
“All that shit you claim you don’t do?”
He tips his chin up. “You will. With me.”
My next words rush out. “I will not?—”
“Yeah. You will.” He takes a slow step closer.
“And I’ll be the only one.
“Though you keep actin’ like you know what I want.”
His eyes don’t budge from mine.
“But what if it’s you?”
My stomach falls. And falls. And falls.
He huffs, scratching the back of his head.
“Yeah… probably why I can’t walk away from you.” A dry laugh slips out. “I should be able to. I’ve done it every fuckin’ time. But this? You? Nah—I can’t. And I sure as hell ain’t lettin’ you walk out, either.” His fingers tighten around the albums. “Yeah. Big fuckin’ problem. Swear to God, didn’t see it coming.”
All fight drains out of him.
What’s left lingers when he says,
“I’m afraid to take my eyes off you.”
He’s not playing. He’s not pretending.
