Page 87 of Miss Belief

Smiling, he leaned back again. “Okay. Option A is we continue to date. We hang out together, laugh, kiss, and enjoy time together without any talk about the future. I earn your trust, and we baby step into what I hope will become a relationship at some point.”

It sounded reasonable. It sounded safe. But it didn’t sound like enough. “And option B?’

“Are you sure you can handle hearing option B? Because I can’t unsay it once I’ve put it out there.”

I nodded, grinning at the fact he was giving me an option for my options. “Lay it on me.”

“Option B is the one where I tell you that in a single moment of clarity, I knew everything I’ve ever wanted, and didn’t even know I was searching for, was right there in front of me with big green eyes and fiery red hair. There’s no question in my mind I’m ready for a fresh start with you. I have no more desire to dwell on the past nor to waste one more minute on anyone from it. I’m falling in love with you, Teagan. Without a doubt in my mind. And that means I’m all in to see where this goes with you.”

Holy shit.

“But know that if you choose option A, and we ease into this, we’re going to slow roll into B. We will definitely get there—of that I have no doubt.”

“I’m falling in love with you too.” I face palmed myself. “God, that is so lame after all the beautiful words you shared. But I’ve never said anything like that to anyone, unless you count my sister and my niece.” I’d never trusted my heart would be safe with anyone besides them. I’d never believed another person wouldn’t end up letting me down.

I could see him swallow. “There’s nothing lame about your words. You have a hard time believing things, especially good things, can happen to you.”

Yup. Just call me Miss Belief. “What happens if you get to know me better, and you no longer like me?”

He feigned a serious expression. “Ah. Are you talking about your snoring?”

“I don’t snore.” Shit. “Do I?”

“You do, but it’s cute at this stage. And you know what? If, years from now, it becomes intolerable, I’ll simply smother you in your sleep, and we’ll both agree we had a good run of it.”

My laughter bubbled up. “I’m being serious.”

“No, you’re not. You’re being scared. And the Teagan I know is brave. So put on your big-girl panties, the pink ones preferably, face your fears, and believe me when I say I’m in this one hundred percent.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, suddenly overcome by emotion. He’d hit the nail on the head. I was scared. Scared to trust someone could love me for just being me. Scared I wasn’t good enough, and he’d figure out I was a fake and leave. But wait. He already knew about the falsely courageous front I put on. He already knew about my background and insecurities.

The cards were on the table, and he was choosing to play instead of walking away. For the first time, I believed his words about being all in, and I was also starting to believe I deserved them.

“How’s your back?”

His brow furrowed. “What?”

“Your back? Any pain or old injuries I should be aware of?”

He looked at me like I was crazy. He wasn’t wrong. “My back is fine.”

“Good.” Carrying out an act I’d only seen in movies, I hopped up and wrapped my legs around him. His grunt of surprise made me laugh, but the way his strong arms hoisted me up further was impressive. “I have an important question.”

“What’s that?” he asked, carrying me into the bedroom.

“Now that we’re dating, can we have sex on your desk at work?”

He groaned. “Absolutely not.”

My lip stuck out in a fake pout. “What if hot desk sex is one of my fantasies?”

His hands attacked my clothing. “We can have hot desk sex after I’m no longer your boss.”

“Is desk sex still as hot if you’re not my boss?” I mean, it was a legitimate question.

He stopped, staring me in the eyes. “One time.”

“Deal. I’ll wear no panties tomorrow, and you can call me in for oral dic-tation.” I waggled my brows, causing us both to erupt into laughter.