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She’d clawed her way out of a deep, dark hole with the help of Izzy and Cami, and had put together enough money for a down payment. It was one of her proudest moments, driving off the lot with her twin boys, who had been only six at the time.
God, I miss them. Izzy and Cami’s urgings replayed in her mind about accepting Zane and Maddox’s offer of a date.
“What harm would it be to go out with them?” Izzy had asked. “They’re wonderful guys. Let them show you a good time.”
“No one deserves a night out more than you,” Cami added. “How long has it been?”
“Not long enough. I’m not ready.”
Izzy frowned. “Joel and Restin are away at college. This is your chance, Toni. Just go on one date. What could that hurt?”
“Then you shouldn’t,” Maddox said.
“Shouldn’t what?” She’d lost track of what they’d been talking about.
He smiled. “Shouldn’t sell your car.”
“Right. No. I’m not going to sell Angel.” She unlocked the door and opened it. Then she turned to face the Kavanaghs, who she was more attracted to than she should have been.
“I like that name,” Zane said. “How about we take Angel for a drive around White Rock Lake tomorrow night? The Gibbs’ jet is being serviced, so Maddox and I have a few days off.” He moved so close she could inhale his scent, which reminded her of new leather. “What do you say?”
I really want to say “yes.” I swear, I do. But I can’t. “You’re both great guys, and I know I must sound nuts.”
Maddox shook his head. He was standing next to Zane. “You don’t sound nuts, Toni. Not to us.”
“He’s right, sweetheart,” Zane said.
Sweetheart? It sounded so great to hear him call her that.
Zane touched her cheek, sending an electric shiver up and down her body. “Not nuts but you do sound afraid.” And then he kissed her, just like Maddox had done in the kitchen.
Lips to lips. Breath to breath.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she melted into him. God, Zane was a great kisser, too. Silent promises from his lips made her vibrate all over. She would never forget this moment, no matter how hard she needed to. She could feel her cheeks getting hot, her legs getting weak, and her heartbeat getting faster.
Zane’s hands slid down her waist and he pulled her in closer, continuing to claim her mouth as his. She reached up and felt his muscled chest.
Heat rolled through her, and she felt her will to resist begin to crumble. “Please. You don’t understand. I just can’t. I’m not ready.”
Zane cupped her chin. “Like I said, you’re afraid.”
She couldn’t admit that to him and Maddox. Not now. Not ever. But it was true. She was afraid, afraid of being hurt again.
There were no physical scars she carried, but there were invisible ones that went deep into her very being. What had happened with her ex had ruined her for love.
Even if Cami and Izzy believed Zane and Maddox were men worth trusting, she could never trust again. It just wasn’t possible. How could she? The two guys likely deserved someone better than her anyway, someone without so much baggage.
“Good night, guys. Thanks for walking me to my car.”
“Good night, Toni,” they said in unison.
“We’re not giving up until you agree to go out with us,” Maddox said.
A sigh left her lips that came from deep inside her, a sigh of reluctance and regret. “You should though.”
“Do you want us to?” Zane asked.
She thought about lying to them and saying that was what she wanted. If she did it might end their pursuit. But she wasn’t a liar, though she’d been married to one. “Truthfully, no. I don’t want you to stop trying. Your attention is very flattering. It makes me feel good, special even. But it’s not fair to you.”
