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“No, it’s not you,” he says after a few deep breaths. “I just…” He trails off, releasing the tension in his muscles as he sighs in defeat. Whatever this man has been through is weighing heavy on his soul. “I don’t talk about my family. With anyone. Ever.”
Titan shoves his hands in his pockets and stares down at his feet. The giant of a man wilts in front of me, and I move toward him without thinking. I can’t stand to see him this way.
Taking a few tentative steps forward, I approach him as if he’s a wounded animal. Right now, he certainly looks like one. Titan watches me move closer, his brow furrowing as I reach out and place my hand on his chest, right over his heart.
Deep, unblinking navy blue eyes widen as they lock on mine. Titan stares at me in disbelief as I press my hand further into his chest, hoping the pressure eases some of the tightness he’s carrying there.
“You don’t have to tell me anything,” I say softly, each beat of his heart imprinting itself on the palm of my hand. “But I can feel the weight of whatever secret you’re hanging on to. It’s tied around your heart like a lead weight.”
Titan nods slowly, his right hand coming up to cover mine where it’s resting on his chest.
“I might not be able to fix it or heal whatever wound has scarred your heart, but I can share the burden. I can sit with you while you work through it. I can listen.”
“Cora,” he whispers, his eyes darting between mine. Titan slides his hand from where it was placed over mine, his fingertips tickling my collarbone and neck. He combs his fingers through my damp hair, cupping the back of my neck and tilting my head up to meet his gaze. “You’re too damn good for me,” he rasps into my open mouth before taking my lips in a devastating kiss.
It starts out slow, tender almost. Like he can’t believe this is happening. I’m right there with him. Titan angles my head so he can dive deeper, his tongue tickling the roof of my mouth before tangling with mine.
I gasp at the rush of sensations flooding through me, prickling my veins and making my nerves sizzle and pop. Titan breaks our kiss, only to trail his lips over my cheek, nibbling on my earlobe before licking a stripe up my throat. It’s primal and hot and makes me want to climb him like a damn tree to get closer, closer, closer, more, more,more.
His lips meet mine again, his silky tongue plunging into my mouth and lapping at me like he needs this for his survival. Needs me more than his next breath.
That thought is intoxicating, and I loop my arms around his neck, pressing my body against the hard slats of his muscles. Titan groans, one hand trailing down my side, squeezing my curves and making me tremble in his arms.
One minute, I’m wrapped up in Titan, our hands roaming all over each other as our mouths mold together, and the next minute, I’m bereft, cold, and empty.
I blink a few times, steadying myself on my feet. Titan has taken several steps backward, and he’s looking at me with an unreadable expression. I’m still catching my breath when he spins and books it out the open door, leaving me staring after him, my hand covering my lips where I can still feel his kiss.
What the hell was that? And how can I get him to do it again?
7
TITAN
Ihit the enter key with more force than necessary, grunting as I complete another digitized file. I’ve been in my office since around five this morning, when I finally gave up on trying to sleep. I figured I might as well be working if I'm not resting. Not that work will help with my current situation, but at least it’s a distraction from my intrusive thoughts.
I tossed and turned all night, replaying the kiss in my mind. It all happened so fast, and the emotions overtook me. I had no choice but to kiss the angel of mercy standing in front of me, offering her sweetness. Cora was saying all these kind, gentle words, speaking life into my soul. And when her delicate little hand covered my heart? I swear to Christ, I gave it over to her right then and there.
It was all too much, though. I felt like I was going to lose control. I wanted to lay her out on the bed, strip her out of her tiny pajama shorts and tank top, and run my tongue over every dip and curve in her luscious body.
But I can’t do that. I don’t deserve it. Any of it. Cora is this ethereal beauty, shining her light on anyone and everyone, even a grumpy bastard like me. I can’t be selfish with her. What kind of life could I offer her? Sure, I have money saved up. Probably a lot. I haven’t checked my account balance recently. I throw my checks into a high-interest savings account and know it’s making money for me the longer it sits there. It’s not like I have many expenses since I live and work on the rig. No car payment, no rent, no grocery bill.
Still. What would I know about taking care of someone as precious as Cora? As sweet and pure and innocent? It’s not just my hands that are stained; my soul has a dark void. It will consume her, snuff out her brightness.
Looking over at my phone, I see it’s nearly ten minutes past eight. Cora is officially late, which has never happened before. I rub my temples, then lean forward, resting my elbows on the desk while holding my head in my hands.
I messed up. I know I did. As much as I try to convince myself that leaving her high and dry was the best move, I can’t forget the look she gave me when I stepped away from her. She was surprised and confused, but it was the hurt and insecurity that kept me up all night. Even though I’m trying to protect her from getting sucked into my life, I hate the thought of her feeling rejected.
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath. I can’t seem to do anything right.
Glancing at my phone again, I groan when I see another five minutes have passed. Cora is never late, let alone fifteen whole minutes late. My stomach sinks, knowing I’m the cause. I made her uncomfortable, and now I need to make it right.
Standing from the uncomfortable office chair, I stretch my arms and legs, working out the kinks from being cramped up for three hours straight. I’m not sure what I’m going to say, but I can’t leave things like this. She’ll have to understand. It’s not her, it’s me.
Yeah, that’s a great line, my unhelpful inner monologue adds.
I wrap my hand around the doorknob, taking a deep breath before opening it. I’m greeted with white-blonde hair pulled up into a messy bun and clear green eyes filled with worry.
“Cora,” I say, surprised to see her pacing outside the door.
