“This isn’t supposed to happen to me. It’s unsettling,” I groan. “Ugh, make it stop. I feel sick.”
“Quit fighting it. You might enjoy the ride.” His dedication to my misery smacks me upside the head.
“Hold on a second.” I narrow my eyes on his pleased smile. “You like me.”
“Thought that was obvious.” When he bites his bottom lip, I almost whimper and suggest we ditch the confessions for something simpler.
But dammit, we’re expressing our feelings. I shouldn’t shy away from that. “Nobody has ever liked me before.”
“I find that hard to believe.” When I scowl, he grunts and fights a grin. “Yeah, okay. You can be a real pain in the ass.”
“Which is my standard setting. Why do you find that appealing?”
“I just do.”
“There has to be a reason. Humor me.” From my perspective, I haven’t done much that would leave a favorable impression.
Byron sighs and squints off into the distance. “That’s a bit more complicated to explain.”
Much like the conflicting emotions wreaking havoc on my sanity. “It doesn’t make sense. I’m jaded beyond redemption.”
“Trust me, you’re not.”
“I’ve got a mountain of issues.”
“Doesn’t bother me.”
My stomach somersaults, which spurs me onward. “I’m not a traditional girlie. You’re not going to trap me at home, barefoot and pregnant.”
He gives me a flat stare. “Do I look like the kind of guy who wants that?”
“Maybe.”
“Rest assured that I’m not. At least not in the way you’re thinking. I forced you to live with me for a different reason and that’s where you’re gonna stay.”
“But—”
“Frankie,” he rasps. “Quit trying to convince me you’re not worthy. It won’t stop me from liking you. If you need proof, just look down. I’m still wearing the boots you ruined, for crying out loud.”
Some of the fight leaves me, hunching my shoulders. “I just don’t get it.”
“You don’t have to.” He takes off his cowboy hat to drag a hand through his hair, releasing a long exhale. After a brief moment, he puts himself back together into a picture of composure. “I haven’t been with a woman since my wife died because I didn’t see the point. I’m a simple man, but I’m very particular. I didn’t believe someone who agreed to mylimitations could also keep me satisfied existed. Not to mention dealing with me set in my ways. But here you are.”
Oh, no. A familiar tightness clings to my throat when I swallow. My heart is beating too fast. There’s a hot sting blurring my vision. I bite the tremble in my lip before it reveals what’s impossible to deny.
But the truth is right there, blooming in the depths of my broken soul for him to nurture. He’s already blown me away orgasmically. I guess it’s only fair for him to destroy me in every other aspect.
“Fuck,” I grumble. “Fine, you can hold my hand.”
“That’s okay,” he chuckles. “We don’t need to do shit that makes you uncomfortable.”
I grind my molars and snatch his wrist, smashing our palms together. “If I didn’t want to, I wouldn’t offer.”
“All right then.”
“Glad that’s settled.” I clear the remaining dryness from my throat while ignoring the tingles between my fingers. “No more pussyfootin’ around. Let’s haul ass. I need a knife big enough to slice through your sex appeal.”
“There she is.” His smile is effortless and endearing and I can’t pull my gaze off him.