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And damn. I think that had to be the most vulnerable I’d ever let myself get around anyone before. I wasn’t sure how to handle it. I felt stripped and raw and uncomfortably hesitant. But also…safe with her.
“Better?” she asked as she stroked a hand over my hair soothingly, and not at all reticent after what had just happened.
I nodded mutely and looked into her dark, caring eyes. A sense of wonder filled me as I stared because this made no sense. I never let anyone in like that, except my core group. But she’d gotten me to show her a glimpse. And I had no idea how.
Because it certainly wasn’t her stunning looks.
The looks should’ve made me button up stiffer and getmoreself-conscious, desperate to show her only my strong, resilient,bestside, in the hopes of impressing her.
No, there was just something about her as a person that my emotions intrinsically trusted.
It was eerie as hell, and yet also…nice.
After a thick, shaky swallow, I gave her a trembling smile, and rasped, “Yeah, thanks.” Wincing, I followed it up with an immediate, “And…sorry.”
Cocking her head in confusion, she squinted. “For what?”
“For…you know. Losing it like that in front of you. I don’t…I don’t do that. That’s not me. I don’t—”
“Hey,” she murmured, grasping my hand and squeezing warmly. “It’s fine. You don’t have to explain anything.” With a loose shrug, she flashed me a smug smile, causing her dimples to pit perfectly. “Though, I kind of feel special now, knowing you just let me in on something rare.”
I tightened my grip on her hand and looked deeper into her eyes. “You should,” I told her with all honesty. “I think you’re the type who can draw others in to the point that they want to show you their true selves.”
When I eased closer, she sucked in a sudden breath. “You really think so?”
I nodded and lifted her hand to my mouth before lightly pressing my lips to her knuckles. “The fact that Thalia choseyouas her roommate says enough for me right there. But I feel it too.” I watched her eyes change from warm companionship to startled awareness before I added, “You’re exceptional.”
“I…I…” The compliment clearly befuddled her. “Well, I…thank you. I didn’t really do anything, though. I was just being…me.”
Her modesty made me grin. “Apparently, that’s all you need to be.”
Running my thumb over the spot on the back of her palm that I’d just kissed, I watched her lips part as her gaze dropped briefly to my mouth. There was no way I misread the arousal I saw there. She wanted me. Just as much as I wanted her.
My muscles bunched, and an eager kick caught me right in the diaphragm. Her lips parted, looking plush and receptive.
Skin buzzing and core body temperature heating, I stepped even closer, looming like a hungry, stalking predator. A ripple of need prickled its way down the length of my cock, and my nostrils flared when the breeze picked up, washing her peach scent over me again.
When her shoulders lifted through a heavy breath and an imprint of her nipples appeared on the front of her shirt, I was a goner.
My hand lifted toward her jaw, needing to hold it, angle it, and keep it prisoner so my mouth could devour such tender flesh.
Aching for that first taste, I leaned in to kiss her.
But she tightened, making a sound of protest, and I froze solid, realizing I’d just made a colossal mistake.
Yep. That was really classy, Archer. Try to jump the poor woman who was only offering you a little sympathy…because she thought you were just that pathetic.
God, I was a moron.
Her eyes were wide and frightened as they continued to stare into mine.
Hoping to retreat as gracefully as possible, I loosened my grip on her hand and then dropped my fingers from her face as I eased backward.
“I—” She cut herself off, and I wasn’t sure if she was going to apologize to me for her rejection or make some other lame excuse about needing to focus on school, not guys, but I didn’t think I could handle either. Not right now.
So I beat her to the punch, blurting, “I’m sorry. Damn.” I stepped back some more, gripping my head. “I did not know I was going to do that.”
“Well…” She shrugged ruefully. “I mean, it was a pretty heavy moment and—”
