I make a bold move and take her face in my hands, needing her to see and hear me. “This. . . You are more than I will ever deserve. Besides, you can run, but I’m going to run with you. And if you outrun me, I’ll be standing here when you come back.”
“But I can’t. . . ” She looks away, but I pull her back.
“I want to love you in all the ways you will let me. It’s one step at a time. This is all new for me, too. I don’t know everything you’ve been through, but I know the person it’s made you become, and I’mcrazyin love with that woman.”
She pulls away and huffs, irritation rising. “Cole. I don’t know if I can…dothings.”
I’m so confused, and her shoulders slump in frustration.
“Sex. You want to go a lifetime without sex? I don’t know if I can do that or other things. I don’t know if I. . . ” Her tone softens. “I don’t know if I will ever be able to have children.” Her words are surrounded by heartache. “The list goes on, and. . . ”
Her chest moves in and out, and mine bleeds for everything that might be on that list. She steps away, fighting her emotions, while I take in what she admitted and quickly find what I already knew. I want her anyway.
“Can I hold your hand?”
Her gaze drags up mine this time. “What?”
“Can I hold your hand?”
Her eyes flick between mine. “Umm. . .yes.” Her hesitancy makes me grin, and I see her relax slightly.
“Will you dance with me?” I take a step closer to her.
She straightens, that edge appearing that I freaking love. “Depends.”
“On what?”
“The music and that you keep it simple.”
“Deal. Bruno it is. Will you stay here with me? Eat dinner, watch tape or a movie, and sleep in my room?”
She stares at me long and hard.
“You’re staring at me.”
“I’m not staring.” She stares.
“Yes, you are.” I inch closer.
“No, I’m not. I’m trying to understand.”
I carefully slide my arms around her, pulling her closer. “Let me help. Can I kiss you?”
“Cole. . . ”
“I like it when you say my name as if you’re warning me.”
Her hands grip my shirt like she’s afraid, but she doesn’t have to be.
“Can I kiss you?” I ask, needing permission.
Deep lines form between her brows, her eyes searching mine. “Yes.”
I lower my head. “I’m going to need you to participate.”
She huffs out a laugh, and I see it does the trick.
I surround her with one arm, pulling her flush against me. I push her hair behind her ear as she catalogs my every move. I nudge her chin with my finger, lifting her face to mine.
