"Coral," I say her name softly. I don't want to shy away from that or from her impact in both of our lives.
He nods. "It's not something I like to talk about."
"I understand."
"I just want to make it clear that what we have isn't about her." His chest expands as he takes a very deep breath. "I've never felt this way about anyone."
I don't know how to respond. I want to believe in his words. I want to embrace this but there are still so many unanswered questions.
"I'm so wary of this." I just say it. I don't know how to temper it or the things I'm feeling.
"Of me?" He arches a brow. "Are you wary of me, Sadie?"
I nod. "Of you, of my own feelings, of everything about Coral." I hate that I ended that with her name. I am worried that his interest in me stems from some morbid curiosity about Coral's heart. I can't shake that.
"I want you to understand something right now." There's a stern undertone in his voice. "Something you really need to get."
"What?"
"I may have met you because you had Coral's heart but everything after that point was because of you." He tilts my chin up with his index finger. "You."
"You're like a stranger to me." I know the words will sting but I don't know how to quiet my fears. "You swoop into my life and then suddenly you're this guy who used to love the woman whose heart I have. Do you see the problem wi
th that?"
"I never loved Coral." He corrects me. "Never."
"Have you loved anyone?" I spit the question out even though it's misplaced in the moment.
I can tell from his stunned expression that he didn't see it coming. I didn't see it leaving my mouth either but it's out there now. It's floating in the deafening silence of the car.
"Once, I thought I loved a woman." He looks directly into my eyes. "I was wrong."
"Was it serious?" I press. I need to know everything I can about him. He makes me feel things that leave me open and exposed. I can't keep wondering who he is and what's on his agenda.
"There was an engagement." His choice of words isn't lost on me. He didn't say he was engaged. He said there was an engagement. There's a distance there. I can feel it.
"You were engaged? When?"
"It doesn't matter, Sadie." He expertly skirts the question as he moves his hand towards my lips. "All that matters is in this car, right now."
I pull back from his touch and disappointment courses through his eyes. "No. There's more than just us."
"What?" he asks as he leans closer to me. "What happened last night was magical. I've never wanted anything as much as you. Why can't you just accept that?"
I want to melt into his words and his arms. I want so desperately to kiss him. Nothing in this world feels as wonderful as when his lips glide over mine. Nothing except when he's inside of me. I can't think straight when he's talking like this.
"Please, Hunter." I reach to grab his hand and clasp it in mine. "Please just be honest with me."
He drops his gaze to my lap. I can sense the deflation in his stance. He's leaning forward now. "I am," he whispers.
"Do you want me because I have Coral's heart?" My heart ached in my chest as I asked the question. I want so much for him to say no. I want him to want me for me.
"I'm falling in love with you, Sadie Lockwood." He turns to look at me. "It scares the hell out of me but I can't stop it."
"Please don't say things that aren't true," I murmur. I'm falling in love with you too I want to scream back but my better judgement has a rein on that. I can't do it, yet.
He tenderly grabs my face with both hands. "You are it for me. This is it. I can't stop what I'm feeling."