Second Chance Rival

“Ask me.”

She took a deep breath, exhaling, “Did you miss me?”

“Everyday.”

Her cautious eyes met mine.

“I struggled with it, though.”

“With missing me?”

“Mmm hmm.”

“Why?”

“I’ve felt this deep connection to you since the moment I first saw you.”

“I know. I felt it too.” Her eyes held nothing but sincerity and confusion, suddenly making the air so damn thick between us. “I guess, I don’t know what to make of all of it. I can see myself, not only with you but with a family, and that scares the shit out of me,” she confessed.

Her vulnerability didn’t stop me from taking in the glow of her smooth, tan skin from the sun, or the way her hair kept falling around her face, or the rosy flush of her cheeks from the wine.

There was something in the way she was looking at me…

The concern.

The sadness.

The understanding in her eyes.

That had me sharing, “I never wanted to leave you.”

Her lips parted as a slight gasp escaped her mouth, waiting for me to go on.

“Growing up like I did, not having parents, I felt alone a lot. Like the world had forgotten about me. When you grow up in those circumstances, where all I had were my father’s street bikes, it adds another element to what could have been if they hadn’t died. You’re the first and last place that’s ever felt like home to me, kitten. And I mean that from the bottom of my soul.”

Her big, blue eyes brimmed with tears.

I tugged her toward me. Her tight dress hiked up her toned thighs, and without thinking, my hands immediately traveled up her legs.

They were as soft as they were inviting.

And I knew I was done for.

—Belle—

Hearing him talk about me with so much devotion in his heart hurt in ways I never expected. There I was, falling in love with him again. Only feeling the fear I was going to get hurt by him. And even still, I wanted him.

All of him.

Even if it came with a price at my expense.

“You always had me questioning everything I believed in, and it hurt me as much as it healed me,” he openly affirmed. “All I know is I want, need, crave you in a way I’ve never had for anyone else. I can’t imagine a life without you in it. I’m struggling with the reality that maybe you’ll never love me the way you used to, but don’t think for one second I’ll ever stop trying to make you feel that love again. You’re mine. You’ve always been mine.”

I didn’t know what to say. His beautiful words literally shocked me to my core. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

So, I did what came natural with him, and I let my body speak for me. Nudging my face into his chest, I kissed along his neck.

“Kitten,” he huskily groaned.