Page 54 of Run to Me

“You start by being as stubborn about wanting me as you are about pushing me away. You start by saying yes. Then trust me to make you happy.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “Do you even hear yourself? You’re basically asking me to be clingy.”

“So? Cling to me. Seep into my pores. You already consume me entirely. There’s not much more I can offer you, but all I have is yours for the taking. I want you in my life again, birdie. Desperately. I want to breathe you and feel you every day—in every way imaginable. And more than anything, I want you to admit you want me too.”

A low, frustrated growl escapes me. “You ask too much of me, Jensen.”

“You don’t ask enough of me.”

And therein lies the crux of my resistance. I asked him for something once, and he denied me. In retaliation, I condemned us both to a lifetime apart. Why? So I could have all the power and control. I could have the upper hand for once…and keep it.

I’m afraid to ask him for anything, because the tiniest possibility of his rejection slicing me to pieces again isn’t worth taking the risk. Or wasn’t. Now I’m not sure. He’s trying so hard to reach me and penetrate my defenses. What harm can come from allowing him five minutes to state his case?

I twist the fabric of his shirt in my fingers, a familiar visual that blasts my memory back to thirteen years ago. To the day. When today’s date registers in my brain, my eyes snap to his face. I’m met with a remorseful gaze, proving he’s also aware of this anniversary. Neither of us can forget the day I walked away from our friendship. Perhaps we’ll remember this moment as well—right here and now—when I take one step toward reclaiming what we had.

“Fine. You win.”

Hope blooms on his face, eyes flaring with surprise. “Explain.”

“Once I’m settled, I’ll listen to what you have to say. But don’t push me,” I warn. “I’ll come to you when I’m ready.”

He lets out a sharp exhale and pulls my face closer, coaxing a shiver from me when his breath dances across my lips. “You won’t regret this, I swear. I’ll show you how perfect we are.”

“If you kiss me right now, I’ll rescind my offer,” I say, slamming the brakes on the tension in our atmosphere. If we crash into each other, the impact will be messy.

“You’re desperate for me to kiss you right now—practically begging—but I won’t risk my only chance.”

I scoff. “I’ll never beg.”

Ghosting a thumb along my bottom lip, his low voice drips with dark promises. “We’ll see about that.”

My body reacts to his challenge. Heart pounding, stomach fluttering, brain on the fritz. Unfortunately, the electric charge sparking between us fizzles out when he checks his watch.

“Damn, I have to get to work.” He releases me and climbs into his Jeep with a satisfied grin on his face, tossing out a parting declaration. “You belong with me, Maisy Rae Donovan. I’ll work my ass off to prove it to you.”

As he backs out of the driveway, the grey skies open, dousing my heated flesh with cool rainwater. I remain in place, paralyzed by my willingness to grant this man access to my heart when, once upon a time, he was so careless with it.

18

JENSEN

Trevor

Saturday morning. My place.

Javi

Can’t. I have a client session.

Me

What are we doing?

Trevor

Building the new deck. We’ve been talking about it for weeks.

Me