AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You can’t just say no!”
“I think you’re misunderstanding me, baby.” He gathered her against him.
She sat stiffly in his arms. She couldn’t relax. “What?”
“I’m not saying that no, you can’t choose. I’m saying no, you don’t get to look at me like you’re terrified of what I’ll do. I’d never hurt you, remember?”
“I . . . I don’t think you’d physically hurt me.”
“Emotional pain can be just as traumatic.” He sounded like he spoke from experience. “Wouldn’t do that either.”
She gulped in a few breaths.
“I want you to calm down for me. Nice deep, slow breaths.”
Shit. This is what she had to do for Loki sometimes. Was this how he felt every time he had a panic attack?
Sorrow filled her for him. For all that he’d been through.
Her breathing slowed and that nauseous feeling in her stomach calmed.
“That’s it. My good girl.”
“I’m not . . . not yours.”
He leaned back, staring down at her with those serious, calm eyes. He placed his finger under her chin again. “You aren’t attracted to me?”
And hello red cheeks.
He ran his thumb over her lips and they parted without thought.
“Because I think you are.”
“Physical attraction isn’t everything,” she whispered.
“No, but it’s a big part.” He slid his thumb into her mouth and she sucked on him with a small moan.
God. How had he known to do this? Isa swore she had some sort of oral fixation. She loved nothing more than sucking on her thumb. She’d been known to do it while she was reading a book or watching television or sleeping.
“You look good like this, baby. I like you. I’m attracted to you. But it’s not just that. I like how sweet you are. Kind. Funny. How when you smile, it’s with your whole body. I like those dresses you wear with your cowboy boots. And I like how loyal you are. You’d do anything for your friends. And I’m a selfish bastard who wants that for himself.”
She moved her head away and his thumb slid free. But he didn’t seem to be upset. He dropped his hands to the counter again, staring down at her.
“You don’t know me.”
“I know you better than you think I do. But I want to know you better. One date. You owe me, remember? Just give me that.”
She swallowed heavily.
“You trust me a little or you wouldn’t have been able to sleep with me in your house.”
Crap. He was totally right.
He cupped her face. “I get you have concerns. Things you might not be able to tell me yet. All I’m asking is that you don’t say no yet. That you give me a chance.”
Asking? She wasn’t certain he was asking.
“You like to be in charge.”
