“You haven’t what?”
Just say it.
Rip it off like a Band-Aid.
Fast is less painful.
“I haven’t…been with anyone like that.”
She raises a brow. “In a long time?”
“No.” I shake my head. “Ever.”
Her brow furrows. “But”—her eyes rake over me—“how is that possible?”
There have been times I’ve asked myself that very question, but more often, it’s the furthest thing from my mind.
I work.
I build.
I help take care of the family and this town.
The fact that I haven’t had actual sex with anyone wasn’t top on my list of concerns or priorities.
But with Lucky, my cheeks heat under her assessment. “I dated some girls in high school but was never really in love with any of them. Opportunities presented themselves, and stuff certainly happened. I can’t say I wasn’t tempted a few times, but it just never felt right because I didn’t love any of them.”
She pulls that bottom lip of hers between her teeth and considers me for far too long, and I can’t tell what she’s thinking. By the time she releases that plump lip, I’m practically vibrating with anxiety I didn’t think I would feel about this. “I can sleep on the couch?—”
“No.” I shake my head and lean in, ghosting a kiss over her lips. “You’ll sleep with me. In my bed. Where I can keep my arms around you all night.”
“Liam, I don’t want you to feel like?—”
I silence her protest with another kiss and press my body against hers, letting her feel my barely restrained desire for her that’s been growing since the moment she stepped through my door. Letting her know that she wouldn’t be forcing me into anything or putting me in a position in which I don’t very willingly want to be placed.
God…
I don’t think it’s possible to love someone you barely know.
It’s impossible when we met less than two weeks ago, but if it were possible, I would’ve said the words already because I haven’t felt like this with anyone I’ve ever known.
I want Lucky.
I want this.
I want everything with her, if she’d only give it to me.
I’m not sure if she’ll ever open up, if she’ll ever be able to give me what I really want from her. Her past, her future, all the things she keeps hidden because she’s afraid they’re going to scare me. But after what I learned about my past, about who I am, there’s nothing that can scare me anymore.
I pull my head back and see unshed tears shimmering in her eyes. “I want you, Lucky. Your past doesn’t scare me. What does is the thought that you’re going to run off without me ever getting to know you, without ever having this with you.”
“Are you…sure?”
I nod and a tiny grin pulls at her lips.
She wraps her arms around my neck and drags me down for another kiss as Gizmo jumps up onto the bed and lays on it, tipping his head to the side.
I close my eyes as we deepen the kiss, ignoring the dog and the fact that there’s still this darkness looming over us.
