He leaned away. “No. I don’t want it.”
“Yes. You do.” I tried again.
This time he placed his hands on my arms holding me back. “No.” His voice shook.
I set the necklace on the bench, shoved his legs apart, and scooted myself between them. Then I slid my hands around his neck and placed a firm kiss on his lips.
“Stop,” he rasped. “Just stop.”
Fight. Fight with everything you’ve got. All to pieces.
“No. I’m not gonna stop.” I shoved my hands into his hair and forced his mouth to meet mine.
He was still for a few seconds and then a groan broke free from his chest. He reached down, scooping me up onto his lap, kissing me like he’d been thirsting to death and I was the water that would save his life. “Please, stop,” he groaned, but he kept kissing me, desperate, broken, and raw. His hands were on my back, cupping my neck, at my waist. Frantic. I tilted into him, four years of backed-up hormones hitting my bloodstream like a bursting dam.
“I love you, Blue,” I said when his mouth moved along my jaw. “I didn’t watch your games because it hurt too much.” He placed a kiss on the hinge. “And I did think about you. Every single day.”
“I know you’re just saying this so I’ll play better.” His lips were on my throat. “Because they told you to. But I don’t care.”
I trapped his face in my hands and made him look at me. “No. That is not what’s happening. Do you understand me?”
He stared at me, lips puffy, his expression a tornado of hope, doubt, excitement, and insecurity. “Don’t lie to me, Anna.”
I tipped my forehead against his, my fingers swirling through the back of his hair. “Do you want to know why I came to your game in Knoxville?”
“You came to see Ford sing.” His tone was bitter.
“No. I didn’t even know he was singing until I got there.” I ran a finger over that dimple. “I came to seeyou. Jonah made me.”
He rested the back of his head against the pillar, disbelief in his expression. “What?”
“Yeah. Because I was completely incapable of having a relationship. I wouldn’t let him or his friends watch any of your games. If you were on the TV, it had to be off. And I still couldn’t tell him I loved him even after we’d been dating a year.” Blue’s knee bounced under me as I went on. “He said I needed to lay eyes on you and figure myself out.”
“And you figured yourself out?” He still looked skeptical but now there was happiness and hope mixed in.
“Yeah.” My eyes widened. “I figured out that you have the power to crush my heart, same as always.”
His eyes went soft. “Anna. I won’t crush you ever again. I promise.” He pulled me back in, kissing me harder, more intensely. His fingers slid up into my hair, holding me so tight. His tongue traced my top lip, causing heat to erupt in my stomach, my chest, and my face. I never felt this intensity with Jonah. Not anywhere close.
But then he paused, his brows in a tight pucker. “You’re not crappin’ me? This is for real?”
“No. I am not crapping you.” I laughed. “You ruined me, Blue. I’ve never loved anyone like I loved you.”
His gaze turned intense. “I’ve never loved anyone like I lovedyou. Like I still love you.” He pressed another kiss to my lips. “Wait. Does this mean what I think it means? We’re going to be together? Be a couple again?”
“Yes. If that’s what you want.”
“Oh,” he chuckled. “Iwant.”
I felt my cheeks flush as I ran my fingertips over his stubbled chin. “I’m not gonna lie. I’m terrified. We didn’t do so well at long distance before. And now you’ve got press surrounding you all the time. And jersey chasers. And crazy ex-girlfriends. If you want this to work it’s going to take serious commitment. If we mess this up again, I’m afraid then it won’t be repairable.”
He held my face in his hands, fierce determination in his eyes. “If it breaks, it won’t be because of me.”
“Blue?” A man’s voice came from the doorway on the other side of the pillar. “We kind of need you back on the field.”
Blue’s eyes danced. “Coming!”
I started to stand but he tightened his arms around me and kissed me again like the guy had never interrupted us. This time slow, gentle, and like we had all the time in the world. His hands were splayed against my back. His kisses were careful and delicate, slow and methodical, taking his time. As if our love was fragile and too much intensity might break it again.
