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I pull into her driveway,replaying our conversation over and over, trying to figure out what I said wrong. But I can’t figure it out.
How can telling a woman she’s beautiful be wrong?
“Thank you,” Willow says softly, reaching for the door handle.
“Wait,” I choke, needing to make right whatever wrong I’ve done. But she doesn’t wait. She exits the vehicle like her life depends on it.
No. I can’t let it go. I can’t let her go. Not this way.
I get out of the vehicle too, determined to figure this out.
“Willow, wait.”
“No, Maverik.” Her voice quivers, lacking the bite I usually get when she’s upset. “Get back in your car and go home.”
“What did I say wrong?” I follow her up the walkway to her front door. She fumbles in her pocket for something before pulling out a key.
“It’s not you, it’s me.” She slips it into the lock, but fate has other plans because it won’t turn.
“Because I said you’re beautiful?” I ask, reaching to turn the key for her. She drops her hand and takes a step back, putting space between us. I hate it. I want to be near her. I want to wrap myself around her and never let go.
“Because I want you to think I’m beautiful.” She finally looks up at me. Her green eyes shimmer with unshed tears, but it’s not sadness I see in their depths. It’s surprise. It’s want. It’s longing. “Because I want you to want me, as much as I want you. Because I should know better—Idoknow better—but I have a weakness for you.”
“You want me?”
“No.”
“You just said you did.”
“I shouldn’t want you,” she continues, throwing her arm, ignoring my response. “I’ve been trying to figure out why I care so much. Why I called the judge, and why I was so determined to make you see you were better than you believed you were.”
“Because you want me.” I smile, watching as she comes to terms with the truth. A single tear falls down her cheek, and she looks at me like she might’ve won the lottery. I move closer to cup her face with my hand, brushing away the tear. “Don’t cry, sunshine.”
“Sunshine?”
It’s now or never, I tell myself, giving into the feelings she inspires inside of me. Leaning down, I give her everything I’ve felt about her since the moment I first laid eyes on her. “You’re sunshine and a rainstorm. You’re kindness and grace. You’re everything the world should be. You’re the only woman who’s ever looked at me and demanded I do better. I can’t walk away—I won’t walk away. I’ve spent my whole life waiting to feel this way about someone… and it’s you.”
“Maverik,” she breathes, stepping closer. Her hands settle on my waist, and she rises to her toes, bringing her face inches from mine. Our breath mingles. Our scents combine.
The world fades around us, and my body tingles where her hands touch. With each beat of my heart, it spreads through me until my dick is hard and aching for her.
“I want to kiss you, sunshine,” I grumble, fighting the urge because I need her taste on my tongue as much as I need the air in my lungs. This woman has brought me to my knees, and I’ll gladly worship at her feet.
She’s all I can think about.
She’s all I want.
“Then kiss me.” Her words hang in the air, but I hesitate.
There’s no way one kiss will be enough, and we’re finally on the same page. “I don’t want to risk ruining things before they get a proper start. If I kiss you now, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop.”
Her eyes pierce mine, darkening to glittering emeralds. I can see the wheels turn as she contemplates my words and what I’m saying. “This isn’t simply sex—though, Lord help me, I plan to claim you as soon as you allow me to. This is me telling you’re mine. I won’t be able to stop falling for you. I won’t be able to let you go.”
“I don’t want you to stop. I want to be yours, Maverik.” Something deep inside of me clicks into place, and I claim her mouth.
Seven
WILLOW
