Everything but the one shred of decency buried deep.
I can't grab her unless I'm sure I won't let go.
I can't fail her like everyone else has.
Somehow, I knew that seven years ago.
But now? Now that she's laying herself bare for me…
"Dean." She drags her fingertips over my jawline. "Please say something."
"I'm sorry."
Her eyes turn down. "Oh."
"No." I drop the bottle on the couch. Reach up and rest my palm on her cheek.
Her eyelids press together. She turns her head to one side, leaning into my touch. Soaking up the affection in it.
"I'm sorry you went through that, sunshine."
She just barely nods.
"I want to fuck you. I'm going out of my mind over how badly I want to fuck you."
"It's not a boner killer?"
I can't help but laugh. "Is that the normal reaction?"
"I've only ever told Alex." Her tongue slides over her lips. "Does it change the way you think of me?"
"Yeah."
"Oh." Her chest slumps with her exhale.
"Not like that, sunshine. I want you just as badly. More."
"More?" Her eyelids blink open. Her dark eyes fix on mine. "Why?"
"'Cause you're letting me in."
"Is that what you want?"
"Yeah."
"You don't sound happy about it."
'Cause I'm terrified. "This is uncharted territory for me."
"Me too." She runs her fingertips over my jawline. "I need you to kiss me now."
Fuck, I need to kiss her now.
My free hand goes to the space between her shoulder blades. I pull her closer. Until every inch of her is pressed against every inch of me.
I kiss her softly.
Then harder.