Beautifully Broken

I walk right up to her, and taking hold of her chin, I lift her face to mine. I wait for her eyes to meet mine before I ask, “What’s going on?”

She pulls her chin from my fingers and looks back out over the ocean. “Remember you told me not to ask you questions unless you were prepared to hear the truth?”

“Yeah,” I reply, my eyes searching her face. She’s been doing so well, and I don’t want a relapse.

“The same counts for you, Damian. Don’t ask me something unless you’re sure you can handle the truth.”

Cara starts to walk away, but I grab hold of her hand, tugging her back to me. “What’s that supposed to mean? You can’t tell me why you’re acting so weird around me?”

She looks at our joined hands, and then her eyes slowly drift up the length of my body until they lock with mine. She clears her throat and then squares her shoulders, raising her chin an inch. “I’ll make you a deal, Damian. I’ll answer your question if you answer one of mine.”

I look for any sign of what might be going on in that head of hers, but not finding any answers, I murmur, “Deal.”

Cara nods and takes a step closer to me. She looks up at me, her eyes drifting over my face. “I’m confused about us.”

Her tongue darts out, nervously wetting her lips, and then she lowers her eyes to my chest. “I… I feel something for you, and I don’t know what to do with it. I’m scared to death of where it might lead. I don’t understand how I can feel attracted to you after what happened. Any other man …” she shakes her head slowly, shutting her eyes tightly, “I’m repulsed by the thought of any other man. I hate them with this burning rage that keeps flowing through me like lava. I just…” she lowers her head as if in defeat. “I’m just trying to process my feelings.”

Her shoulders slump, and I watch as she sucks in a deep breath. Whatever’s happening between us is scaring the living hell out of Cara.

Sucking in a deep breath of air, I take a step closer to her, and wrapping my arms around her, I pull her to my chest.

Cara tenses and tries to pull back, mumbling, “Don’t feel sorry for me.”

I tug her back against my chest and lock my arms around her. Lowering my head, I press a kiss to her temple and then another above her ear.

My lips brush against her skin. “I’m not sure what’s happening between us, and I understand you’re scared, but you’re safe with me. I’ll never do anything to hurt you or expect more than you’re willing to give.”

I pull back slightly, and lifting my hand, I brush some strands of hair away from her cheek. Cara’s eyes dart up to my face, then away to the ocean, before coming back to mine.

Slowly the atmosphere between us begins to change, and soon anticipation builds between us.

The corner of my mouth lifts as I admit, “You’re fucking gorgeous, Cara. Any man with warm blood pumping through his veins would be crazy not to want you.” I see fear creep into her eyes at the mention of other men. “Maybe you’re okay with me because I was the one who helped you, and if that’s the case, we’ll just let the feelings pass. Being grateful is not a reason to want someone, and we’d be stupid to act on it.”

She turns her face away from me, a hurt expression tightening her features.

Fuck, she thinks I’m rejecting her.

“If you really feel something for me, then only time will tell,” I continue. “We’ll take it slow.”

Cara nods, still looking dejected. I brush my fingers over the curve of her cheek, and her eyes jump to mine.

There’s a world of pain shimmering from them as she says, “I’ll understand if you don’t want me.” She pauses, taking a shuddering breath. “I mean… it’s okay. I just wanted to tell you how I feel.”

“Why would you think I don’t want you?” I move closer until our bodies brush against each other. I watch her cheeks grow pink, and it stirs something inside of me.

“Because of what happened,” she whispers. “Because a man like you wouldn’t want something that’s been used.”

A hot flare of anger surges through me.

Fuck.

I tilt my head, my eyes narrowing on her. “That’s what you’ve been thinking?”

“It’s okay,” she says, trying to take a step away from me.

I frame her face with my hands so she can’t look away, and I press my forehead to hers. “Don’t think that. You’re not used, baby.” I pull slightly back and lock eyes with her. “Don’t let them make you feel worthless because, to me, you’re fucking priceless.”