I tried not to show it, but I wondered if she’d seen by the expression on my face how hard this was for me.
I closed my eyes, brought her hand to my lips, and kissed her palm. She was so warm.
I wondered why in all those years I had never talked about what had happened just beyond this maze and why I wanted to now.
“You don’t have to tell me now. Whatever it is. You can tell me when you’re ready,” she said, her voice low and gentle.
I looked in her hazel eyes, saw the understanding and strength. And I knew. I had been waiting for her to come in my life.
I didn’t know why these thoughts were in my head, and right now, the why wasn’t important. She was beside me. That’s what mattered.
“I want to tell you,” I said gruffly.
“All right.”
We stepped inside the maze and started our trek. When we reached the part where the trees formed a canopy, shielding the ground from the elements, she stopped.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, her eyes wide as she released my hand and twirled around slowly to take in her surroundings. “A little creepy when I see the dark parts ahead, but seriously beautiful. Is this maze the reason why you bought this land?”
It helped that she was asking me questions. I didn’t know where to start.
“A huge part of it, yeah,” I answered. “Kara?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m glad you’re here with me.”
Was it too much to tell her that? Was it too fast?
The smile on her pretty mouth was everything sweet and soft.
“I made a choice,” she said, reaching for my hand again. “And I chose to fight for you.”
She had no clue—absolutely no clue—how much that meant to me.
Not too fast. Just right. Just damn right.
I stopped, gently pulled at her hand to prevent her from walking away from me. I turned to face her, wanting to touch her face. Wondering if she’d let me.
“I know I hurt you,” I whispered, realizing how easily I could get lost in her eyes. “I’m so fucking sorry for what I did.”
She bit her bottom lip. My eyes focused on it. It had been a long time since I felt her body, had her taste on my tongue. The last time I kissed her only intensified my hunger.
I couldn’t stop myself. I pulled her closer. I heard her sharp intake of breath as I wrapped my arm around her small waist and drew her against my body.
“I’m hungry, Kara,” I said roughly.
She swallowed. Her eyes had turned glassy as they dropped to my lips.
“Can I?” I murmured.
Her gaze lifted to mine. “Yes.”
I watched the play of emotions on her face. I was anticipating the things I could do to her, the pleasure I could give her. The last time I had her on top of me didn’t go well.
I was too hungry for her, almost desperate to be inside her, and I had let that desire control me and had forgotten that she hadn’t done it before.
I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.