“You’re not that person.” Her lips brushed his forehead—tender, almost reverent. “The person you described, the one who burned through connections without caring? That person wouldn’t have stopped. That person wouldn’t have been terrified of hurting me. That person wouldn’t have spent six years rebuilding himself from the ground up just to prove he could be better.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do.” She pulled back, meeting his eyes steadily. “There’s a bar full of women out there. If your control has broken, wouldn’t one of them do?” They both felt him shudder, his body immediately rejecting the idea, and she smiled. “This isn’t about control. This is about fear.”
He winced, but he couldn’t deny it.
“I’m terrified,” he admitted.
“Good. You can be scared. But don’t let it make you run again.”
He wanted to believe her. God, he wanted to so badly it was reshaping his internal organs. But the fear was still there—the memory of who he’d been and the knowledge of how easily he could lose control.
“I need time,” he said, ignoring the need throbbing through his body. “To be sure. For you.”
She studied him for a long moment. He braced himself for anger, for frustration, for her to storm out and never look back. Instead, she smiled.
“Okay.”
He blinked. “Okay?”
“Okay.” She climbed off his lap, and the loss of her warmth was almost physically painful. “You need time. I can give you time. But Ben?”
She paused at the door, looking back over her shoulder with an expression that made his heart stutter.
“Don’t take too long. Spring is coming.” Her smile turned wicked. “And I’ve heard rabbit Others get very intense during mating season.”
The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving him alone in his office, his heart pounding and his body aching, but for the first time in six years, he let himself hope.
CHAPTER 12
Sara squinted at the banner she was painting, the cheerful “Welcome to the Fairhaven Falls Spring Festival!” lettering slightly askew despite her best efforts. Somehow she’d ended up volunteering to help with the Spring Festival planning, and she’d rapidly discovered that it was not her strong suit.
The community center was abuzz with excitement, everyone debating vendors and arguing good-naturedly about the placement of various decorations. The Spring Festival was apparently a very big deal in Fairhaven Falls.
“You’re doing wonderful work, dear.” Flora materialized at her elbow, looking like an overgrown chick in her fluffy yellow tracksuit. Her eyes twinkled mischievously. “Though I notice a certain grumpy rabbit isn’t here to appreciate it.”
Her cheeks warmed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course you don’t.” Flora patted her arm with a gnarled green hand. “And I didn’t see you leave his office looking thoroughly kissed last Friday either. My eyes must be going in my old age.”
“Flora—”
“Don’t mind me, sweetheart. I’m just an old woman who’s seen enough mating dances to recognize the steps.” She winked and tottered off towards the refreshment committee group, leaving Sara flustered and certain that everyone in the room was now staring at her.
They weren’t, of course. Everyone was far too busy with their own tasks. But that didn’t stop the heat from creeping up her neck as she made her way towards the cluster of tables where volunteers were sorting decorations.
Nina was there, her delicate features scrunched in concentration as she organized paper lanterns by color. She looked up and smiled when Sara joined her.
“Oh good, reinforcements.” Nina gestured at the chaotic pile of lanterns, streamers, and what appeared to be several dozen tiny rabbit figurines. “Mrs. Rodanth donated her entire collection of spring decorations. I’m not sure if she was being generous or just wanted the storage space.”
She laughed, settling into the folding chair beside her. “Can I help sort?”
“Please.” Nina pushed a box towards her. “Pink lanterns go left, yellow go right, and the rabbit figurines… honestly, I have no idea what to do with those.”
They worked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, as the other volunteers went about their tasks.
“So,” Nina said eventually, her voice carefully casual. “Ben’s been in a mood since Friday.”
