“You okay?” he asked, watching me intently.
I realized I was still holding my Kindle against me and I set it down. “Yeah, I’m good. How are you?”
“Been better, been worse.” He shrugged.
“I know the feeling.”
I looked out the window as the silence between us hung thick in the air. The rain was coming in one way and then switching to the other.
“You don’t mind that I came inside, do you? Because if you do, I can go.” His hands were in his pockets, water droplets evident on his T-shirt. He looked so calm. So gorgeous.
I relaxed back against the pillows, trying to control my breathing. “No, I don’t mind.”
Cane made his way over to my bed and sat on the edge. “I washoping you’d be a little happier to see me, but I sense I still haven’t won you over. Yet.”
I felt myself settle into the natural rhythm I was finding with Cane.
“Actually, I have softened where you’re concerned. A little.” I laughed when his eyes lit up. “I think you are a really nice guy, although possibly a little self-centered.”
“Me? Self-centered? I was the one who brought you dinner out of the kindness of my heart. You’re the one that wouldn’t reciprocate.”
“Oh, is that how it is?”
“Yeah, I’m afraid so. But I’m all about giving second chances.”
“I’m sure you are.” My world felt like it had color for the first time all week.
“No, I heard what you said the other night and I understand. I would never want you to do something you didn’t truly want to, even if I think you absolutely should.”
I bent forward and smacked him on the shoulder. “You’re terrible.”
“Oh, so you do want to get physical?”
“No.” I laughed.
“That’s too bad. I thought we were making progress.”
I took a deep breath. I was tired—tired of fighting Cane, tired of arguing with my feelings, tired of feeling torn. Deep down under my raging hormones, I knew we couldn’t be together. But I had to get that across to him. We could be friends, and I would learn to navigate that, but he had to stop trying to … do whatever it was he was trying to do.
Maybe if I just admit that I am attracted to him, it will make him feel like I’m not some challenge. Perhaps that will be enough for him to move on, which would make it easier for me to do the same. I can’t keep sitting here “mowing the lawn.” Max is right. I have to go on with my life, and I can’t do that the way I need to with Cane Alexander.
I took a deep breath. “You want the truth?”
He stilled and nodded slowly, looking unsure of where I was going.
“I do feel a pull between us. How could I not? I’ve never felt anything like it before.” I looked into his eyes, emboldened by the desire burning in them. “That kiss ...”
Having him so close with that look in his eye while I admitted how I really felt was a recipe for disaster.
My mouth just started talking, forgoing any filter. “I can’t stop thinking about it, Cane. I-I think about you all the time.”
“What do you think about?”
The sound of his voice, low and controlled, made my own voice quiver. “I—”
“Tell me, Jada,” he demanded, his eyes blazing. “What do you think about? Do you think about me touching you?”
I nodded as I tried really hard not to pant, my body temperature spiking.
