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His body stiffens. “Did he hurt you?”
“Not physically.”
“Explain that for me, babe.”
“I’m sure you’d rather watch a movie than listen to my past relationship woes.” I’d do just about anything to get out of talking about this.
“You see, that’s where you’re wrong. I need to know what triggered that reaction, Aurora. I want to be a man you can depend on. If you can’t open up to me, I can’t be that for you.”
“Reverse psychology?” I chuckle.
“Not exactly, but if it works.” I can feel him shrug.
“Cliff’s Notes, he was a good guy in the beginning. He made me fall for him and then tore me down every chance he got. We’ve been broken up for almost two years. After my grandma’s death, he was… let’s just say he wasn’t there for me, and I finally saw my situation for what it was. I was in an abusive relationship. Mentally. I got out.”
“You’re glossing over a lot there, sweetness.”
“I just don’t want to talk about him. Not right now. We’ve had a nice night, and I’d like to forget that I’m ruining it with the drama of my past. It’s way too early in this dating thing we have going on to bring you down with all of that.”
“This is more than just a dating thing, but you’ll realize that with time. Tell me what brought on tonight’s episode, and I’ll let it be for now.”
I sit up and look him in the eye. “It was me making the decision. It’s not something he ever approved of, and I had to hear it. I’m a work in progress.”
“We all have our issues, Aurora.” He leans in and kisses the tip of my nose. “I promise you I won’t stop until everything he did to you is nothing but a distant memory in your past. I won’t stop until you understand how amazing and beautiful you are. And know this. If you pick something, I’m good with it as long as I get to spend time with you. If it’s something I absolutely hate, we’ll discuss it. You won’t tell me, but I assume there were never any discussions with this asshat. We are a team, Aurora. That’s what I want us to be, tonight and twenty years from now. However long you allow me to be a part of your life. We are a team.”
I give him a watery smile with a slight head nod. That’s all I’m capable of with the emotions rolling through me—the fear, the relief, and the hope that what he says is right.
“I’m going to close my eyes and hit the button on the remote. Whatever pops up is what we’re watching.”
“What if we both hate it?” I laugh. How he always manages to calm me is beyond my comprehension, but I’m grateful for it.
“I’m not going to be watching it anyway.”
“No?”
“Nope. Not if I’m holding you.” With that, he places his arm around my shoulders and pulls me back into his chest. I don’t fight it. I settle in close, letting the warmth of his arms soothe me, as some action movie begins to play. Neither of us moves until the movie ends. I don’t remember any of it. I couldn’t focus on his hands running through my hair and tracing up and down my arm.
It’s not until the movie finishes that his lips finally connect with mine. He kisses me like he always does. Like I’m the air he breathes. He never takes things further, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s intentional, or if he doesn’t want to see the rest. My heart cracks a little at the thought. I know he’s not like that. But he’s also all I think about. Grant is the man who’s slowly bringing me back to life. I can’t help but wonder how I will deal with the carnage when he decides I’m not the one he wants.
Chapter 11
Grant
Walking into Warm Delights, I take in the smell of sugary goodness. My stomach growls, and I’m not even hungry. I had breakfast after I hit the gym this morning with Marsh and Con. My eyes scan the room, and it’s packed, which has my smile growing. My girl is killing it. She’s making a name for herself, and I’m thrilled for her. My eyes scan until they land on her. What I see has my smile dropping. There is a man at the counter, and he’s leaning over, leaning toward Aurora. She doesn’t look impressed.
My feet carry me to them. “Hey, babe.” I stand tall next to the asshole talking to my girl. Aurora visibly relaxes.
“Who are you?” the guy asks. This guy is lanky and rough around the edges.
“I’m her boyfriend.” It’s not a lie, but not the truth either. Aurora and I have been dating for a month this week. I’ve been taking things slow, not wanting to scare her. I assume I’m the only man in her life. She’s the only woman in mine. It’s time we have that conversation just so that we’re both on the same page.
