Shaking her head vigorously, she squeezed his hand. “Not at all. I’m scared of me. I’m afraid I’ll lose who I am.” As his eyebrows squished together, she let go of his hand and swept her fingers over his forehead. “I guess I have some crap still left over from my relationship with Brent. I fell so hard and fast for him, that I let it consume me. It was like we lived in la-la land. Then when reality rang our doorbell, my cocoon split open, and I was shattered.”
“Your world fell apart because you had an asshole in it. He lied and betrayed you. I’m not him. I live it straight. What you see is what you get. I don’t bullshit. You should know that about me.” He leaned back against the cushion.
She smiled softly. “I do. You’re the only man I’ve ever met that tells it like it is and lives his life without any excuses. Actually, I really like that about you.”
“And I fuckin’ love the way you hold your own. You’ve made a life for yourself. You’re a survivor, and I admire the hell out of you. No way would I hurt you, babe. No. Fucking. Way.”
“I know that. I guess I’m freaking out because I’ve never felt such a pull to any man before. When I’d first met Brent, I was attracted to him, but it was nothing compared to what I feel with you.” She pulled out the elastic tie and her hair spilled past her shoulders. “Maybe that’s what scares the hell out of me. I’m terrified of losing myself to you. You probably don’t understand what I’m saying.”
He laughed dryly. “I totally get what you’re sayin’. I never expected to want to spend time with a woman until I met you. I figured we’d have a short fling and I’d be on my way, but it’s not turning out that way. So the fuck what? I’m not asking you to give yourself up. We’re having a good time and we like each other. I’m just going with that. I thought you were too.”
The sun streamed through the picture window, coloring the living room in a bright white glow, and, at that moment, he’d never cared for a woman as much as he did for her. It took him by surprise, but he wanted to spend more time with her and see where this thing they had took them. He leaned over and brushed her lips with his. “You were hurt by a fuckin’ jerk. Are you gonna let that keep you from living?”
With glistening eyes, she flung her arms around him and nuzzled her face in his neck. “I’ve been so happy that it scared me. I do want to take a chance on you. I just freaked out. I needed some time to think.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Next time that happens, don’t shut me out. I may not like what you say, but you gotta tell me when shit’s bothering you.”
“I know. I’m used to dealing with stuff on my own.”
“Now you’ve got me.”
She nodded. “I’m working on opening up more. You’ll have to be patient with me.”
He embraced her tightly. “I’ll be as patient as you need me to be. You’re so worth it, babe.”
They held each for a long while, then Muerto’s stomach gurgling made her snicker and pull back. “Are you hungry? Do you want me to make you a sandwich?”
He chuckled. “Not in a mood for one. Let’s go out and grab a bite.”
“I’d rather stay home with you. We can order pizza and I can make a salad.” She kissed him softly on his lips then pulled away. “Sound good?”
“Sounds great. Just so you know, I’m a triple pepperoni type of guy.”
She laughed. “I guess I better order another one for me. Anyway, leftover pizza’s the best.” She whipped out her phone.
Before she tapped in the number, he grasped her wrist. “Are we good now?”
A wide smile broke over her face. “We’re very good.”
As she placed their order, warmth spread through him. He was so taken with her that it blew his mind.
Placing the phone down, she looked at him. “Beer or whiskey?”
“You first then I’ll take a beer.” He lunged for her, pushing her down on the couch and tickling her sides.
Between gasps for air, she blurted, “Stop.” Laughing she pushed against him, and he replaced the tickles with kisses on her face and neck.
“When did they say the pizza would be here?” he whispered as he flicked her earlobe with his tongue.
“Forty minutes,” she breathed.
“I’m gonna give you the best forty minute fuck you’ve ever had, sweetie.”
He kicked off his boots then turned his attention to her, his hands roaming over her curves as his mouth crashed down on hers.
