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Uncertainty flashes across her features as she presses her lips together.
When she remains silent, I ask, “So what the hell is the problem here?”
She tightens her hands into balls before exploding. “Is it so hard for you to understand that I don’t want you doing nice things for me?”
Out of everything she could have said, that throws me for a loop. I’m tempted to laugh, but her solemn expression stops me from giving in to the urge.
“Why is that such a crime?”
When she attempts to avoid eye contact, my fingers slip beneath her chin, swiveling her head until she has no other choice but to meet my gaze. I want her attention locked on me.
Always.
“Answer the question. Why is it such a problem if I’m nice to you?”
The tension vibrating between us continues to heighten until it feels like it’s enough to choke on.
“Because no one ever has been,” she blurts. When my eyes widen, color creeps into her cheeks as she rushes on. “I’ve gotten this far in life without relying on anyone else for help. I’m not looking to start now.”
“Seems like an awfully lonely way to live,” I say carefully, fighting to keep my voice neutral. The last thing she wants is my sympathy.
Or—god forbid—pity.
It takes all my self-control not to gather her up into my arms and press her close. The urge to protect this girl pounds through me until it’s the only thing I’m cognizant of. I want her to understand that I’m here now and she doesn’t have to face these problems alone. I can help shoulder the burden.
“It’s all I know,” she whispers.
“It doesn’t have to be.”
Even though moisture pricks her eyes, the tears don’t slide down her cheeks. “Everyone I’ve ever trusted has let me down.”
I shift my stance. “Have I done that?”
Instead of giving me an answer, her teeth scrape against her lower lip.
“I won’t hurt you, Lola.” There’s a beat of silence. “You get that, right?”
Her eyes go a little wild as laughter gurgles up from deep within her chest. “No, I don’t. Not one damn bit.”
Now that I’ve gotten to know her better, I get why she’s so skittish. “Maybe I don’t totally understand what’s happening here, but I realize that I’ve never felt this way about anyone else. I like you. More than that, I like the way you make me feel when we’re together.” And I think you feel the same. I search her eyes, hoping to see a hint of softening within them. “Isn’t that why you’ve been avoiding me?”
Almost stubbornly, her chin inches higher. “That’s not what I’ve been doing. I’ve been busy.”
With a smirk, I take another step toward her until I’m able to invade her personal space. “Is that so?”
“Yes. You don’t scare me.”
“I’m calling bullshit, baby.” She’s practically shaking in her Chucks.
Her tongue darts out to moisten her lips. “Whether you believe it or not, it’s the truth.”
My gaze drops to the movement, and a punch of arousal hits me square in the gut. That’s all it takes for my cock to stir. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I do this girl. This growing need I have for her should scare the shit out of me. Strangely enough, it doesn’t.
When my chest bumps into her breasts, she attempts to create more space between us by retreating, but she won’t get away from me that easily. Not anymore. I stalk her movements until the backs of her knees hit the bed and she tumbles onto the mattress with a gasp.
For a long moment, I loom over her. There’s something about the way she stares up at me with those wide, luminous eyes and lips that are slightly parted as the pulse in her throat flutters madly against her flesh. All of it makes my dick rock hard.
The turmoil that flickers across her expressive features is so easy to read. I like Lola best when her mind clicks off and she allows herself to simply feel, living in the present instead of worrying about the future. I don’t think she allows herself to do that very often. Her mind is always spinning, constantly worrying about what new calamity is barreling around the corner.
Bending forward, I cage her in so that her spine is pressed against the mattress. My chest pushes into the softness of her breasts as she flattens beneath me. Barely have I touched her and already her breathing has picked up its tempo. When my lips ghost over hers, air catches at the back of her throat.
“Do us both a favor and just admit you like me. It’s okay, Lola. I’m the only one who will hear your confession.”
She gulps before giving her head a little shake. “No, I don’t like you at all.”
Her denials are useless. I know exactly how this ends and what I need to do to smash through her defenses, so she’ll admit the truth not only to me, but to herself once and for all.
