Page 198 of Pumpkin Spice Promises

“I’m afraid you won’t want me anymore.” The confession hurt worse than telling him about the accident.

Beau’s eyes searched mine. “Carson, I’ve spent the last month trying not to push you into something before you’re ready because every time we get close, you look scared enough to run. Do you really think I’ve been waiting all this time for you to give me a reason to change my mind?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then look at me.”

I did.

“I want you.”

My breath caught at his admission.

“I wanted you when you walked into my garage soaked through and pissed at the world. I wanted you when you started arguing with me five minutes after I kept you from freezing to death. I wanted you before I knew you could barrel race, before I knew about James, before I knew why you disappeared for five years.”

His gaze moved over me before returning to my face.

“And I want you now.”

My throat burned with emotion as fresh tears slipped down my hot cheeks.

“Can I touch you?”

The question sent something warm and terrifying through me. I nodded, looking at him through blurry eyes.

“Where?”

“Anywhere, sweetheart.” Beau lowered himself in front of me, bringing us closer to eye level because of the height of the bench. His hand came to rest first against my uninjured thigh, before slowly moving toward the scarred skin of the other.

He stopped before reaching it.

“Tell me if something hurts.”

“I will.”

His fingertips brushed my skin ever so softly, his touch far gentler than I ever thought possible. It wasn’t clinical or overly cautious. There was something profoundly different between being treated as fragile and being touched by someone who cared whether he hurt me.

His thumb moved near one of the deeper scars.

“I can feel that,” I whispered.

“Does it hurt?” His navy eyes lifted to mine.

“No.” My throat tightened with the sob begging to break free.

He moved slightly higher. “This?”

“No.”

His palm eventually settled against my thigh, warm and solid.

I stared at his hand. “You aren’t bothered.”

“Carson.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.” He rose enough to bring his face inches from mine. “You keep waiting for me to find something about you that makes me want you less.” His hand moved from my thigh to my hip. “I’m starting to think you’re going to be waiting a long damn time.”