“Why didn’t you tell me how you felt before?”
Cole paused mid-bite. Placing his fork down, he angled his body toward hers. “Honestly… I didn’t think you would choose me.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“I told you before I always felt second best next to Seth. I tried not to compare myself to him, but between family and friends, I couldn’t escape it.”
With a stunned look on her face, she said, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to look at me differently. You saw the best in me… and I didn’t want you to see me at my worst.”
Leah ran her hand down the swoop of his cheek. “Cole…”
Clutching her hand, he kissed the inside of her palm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring the mood down.”
“You didn’t.” She reached out and hugged him, draping her arms around his neck.
Cole encircled her waist, inhaling her fragrant scent. Like sweet thoughts in a dream, his body relaxed in her embrace. He lost himself in her, feeling safe and whole when they were together. His next words rested on the tip of his tongue. I love you, Leah. I love you so much.
Caressing the back of his head, she cradled him to her. He didn’t want to leave. If he could stay with her forever, he would. Once he pulled away, heat crept up his spine the moment he focused on her face. L
eah’s fingers smoothed over his shoulder and every cell in his body came to attention.
Did she know the power she possessed over him? The thought of giving her up caused a burning sensation inside his stomach. Like a great ring of pure and endless light, she brought the joy in his life. Knowing she felt the same, he could never walk away from her.
“Did you bring a dessert?” A silly grin formed across her face.
Cole winked at her. “Depends.”
“On what?”
He leaned forward. The steady sound of her breathing whistled in his ears. Her delicate touch to his neck made him inhale sharply. Entranced by her full lips, he kissed the corner of her mouth. Drawing back, he watched her eyebrows squish together.
She said, “I think you missed.”
“No, I didn’t.”
Running his thumb over her cheek, his mouth slid over hers. She electrified him as her lips meshed with his. Cole drowned in the moment, but the tingling in his chest heightened. If only he didn’t have to talk to his brother. Would Seth understand? They were brothers. They would work things out, right?
Why couldn’t he block his thoughts now? Leah was in his arms. How he wished for this moment, and now that he had her, the worst-case scenario stared him in the face. He didn’t want to think about it now. Still, it racked his ears like an explosion of steam-whistles. Willing himself to stay in the moment, his hands brushed through Leah’s curls, loving her soft locks.
Then he moved his hands over the back of her neck, giving her one final kiss before bringing their foreheads together. She rubbed his forearms, and he hoped she didn’t sense the tension in his muscles.
“Cole?”
“Sorry, a lot on my mind.”
“Is it what I think it is?”
“Figuring out what I’m going to tell Seth.”
Leah patted his arm. “I’m sorry I put you in this mess.”
“What?”
“If it wasn’t for me, you and Seth wouldn’t have this problem. I don’t want to come between you two. Maybe this is a—”
“Don’t Leah. I know things didn’t turn out the way we planned, but you…” Closing his eyes, he took a calming breath. “I want to be with you.”