“Why? Because you don’t want me using your tactics? You’ve been deflecting since the breakup. You knew I didn’t want Buffy, but you used that whole thing to deflect from the real issue and called things off between us.”
“That’s not true.”
“Go ahead and deny it, but you gave yourself away, Brinley. You showed your cards.”
“How?” she screeches. “What cards? This is ridiculous!”
“By going off on that little rant of yours about people with money and fame. You accused me of being out to impress everyone”
We stand there, faces flushed. Jaws clenched. Tension tight and pressing. I lower my chin and gulp. “Not everyone is likehim.”I let my eyes say just who I’m referring to—her father—and watch as enlightenment flickers over her features.
It’s all I need to confirm it. I finally figured it out.
“Don’t…say anything else,” she warns while lifting a finger. “Stop right there.”
“I would if I didn’t think we were getting somewhere, but we are. And it’s taken me two long years and three full days to figure this out.”
Brinley takes a step back. “Stop, Dawson.”
“I’m not trying to impress anyone with my watch, Brinley,” I say. “We’re not allowed to have phones in here. I knew that, so I brought my grandfather’s watch.”
“Fine,” she says, taking another step back.
Since I’m gaining ground, I close the gap by stepping toward her again. “And I’m not looking for anyone to affirm my status or escalate my position or popularity or whatever word you want to use to fill in that blank.”
With two more strides, Brinley is firmly against the wall. She drops her arms to either side of her and braces herself with both hands.
I’m fully aware that I could use this moment to complete the challenge from that stupid wheel, but that’s the last thing I would do. I willnotwaste a moment I’ve worked too hard to get. I will, however, pin her in place.
I take another step forward. “I’ll date who Iwant.”
Another step. “I’llkisswho I want.”
I close the gap at last. “I’ll marry the woman who stole my heart whether she’s the leading lady or the one who painted me green.”
The anger in her blazing eyes fades, but that doesn’t mean the fire is gone.
I lean in, catching her citrus scent, and bring my lips dangerously close to hers. “Come on, Brinley…” I slowly trace the shape of her mouth with my bottom lip. “Seeme.”
Almost a foot taller than she is, I brace myself against the wall with both hands, adrenaline coursing through me so hard it hurts. I’m exposed and I don’t care. I’m slicing my flesh so she can see that I do, indeed, bleed red.
“I don’t care about those things. Youknowthat.”
She parts her lips the slightest bit, and her jagged breath spills warm over my chin as I contemplate kissing her.
“Tell me you see the difference,” I plead. “I need you to see me for who I am.”
* * *
Brinley
There’s a game people play callednever have I ever.
The term runs through my mind at this moment because never have I ever experienced an instance so raw. Never have I seen Dawson exude such vulnerable passion.
The trouble is, I’m in overload. His rant was packed with accusations and insight that I can’t process all at once. I don’t know if I want to kiss him right now or deck him.
Still, Dawson’s heated body is the only thing I feel. From the top of my head where he’s bent over to meet my mouth, to the heat-packed vibrations surging through his chest where he’s nudged up against me. With his muscular arms blocking me in like a cage, he slides a leg in to sandwich mine.
