AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I watch them both run away to hide and silently wish they could take me with them. “How much did you hear?”
He looks so damn good in worn blue jeans and a white thermal shirt stretched tight across his chest. Strong and sexy. This man is every fantasy I’ve ever had, and he’s standing right in front of me. But I don’t handle being trapped all that well, and I’m feeling cornered right now.
“I heard you say you want me but not like this. Tell me what you want, Lindy. We’ve shared so much over the years. You can’t start holding back on me now.” He leans back against the counter and crosses those arms I love over his chest, and his shirt stretches so damn tight around his biceps. My God. It should be illegal to look that damn good.
“Easton... Haven’t you ever noticed I never talked to you about this? Not about you. Not about any guys. I’ve never crossed that line,” I tell him because I don’t know how to give him what he wants.
“I was kinda hoping it was because there weren’t any guys.”
My blood burns with indignation. “You’ve got to be kidding. You used to FaceTime me with women in your bed, but you didn’t want me dating? Seems awfully hypocritical, doesn’t it, E?”
“I never said I was a saint, princess. But think about it for a minute. No matter who I was with, I always ended up calling you. Doesn’t that tell you everything you need to know?” His hazel eyes are so damn intense, I’m not sure how much I can take.
“You don’t actually think I liked it when you’d call me with a woman in bed next to you, do you?” I demand.
“Tell me why it bothered you,” he pushes back.
“Because...” I stammer.
“Use your words, Madeline.”
“Ugh... You’re infuriating.” I push back from the counter stool and march across the kitchen to him. “You want to know why it bothered me?”
“Yeah, I do, princess.” He stands tall as I stop in front of him, ready to scream.
“Because I was jealous.” I throw my hands up. “There. Happy?” I yell. “I was jealous they got to be with you like that. In a way I was sure I never would. I was so goddamn jealous because I wanted to be them.”
Easton leans in slowly, careful not to touch me. “None of them could ever be you.”
“But they had you in a way I couldn’t, and I hated that,” I admit, a little quieter.
“Then tell me why you were so pissed when we woke up married,” he pushes again.
“You’re really going to make me say this?” I ask as my voice shakes from frustration mixed with embarrassment.
“Yup.”
“Because I’ve wanted you for years, Easton Hayes. And I finally got you, but it was because we were drunk. You never gave a shit about me sober. But I got drunk and flirted with someone in front of you, and you thought,Fuck that, I’ll marry her.” My stomach twists as the words keep coming. “I woke up and was married to the one man I’ve dreamed of marrying, and I couldn’t remember any of it. You don’t even love me. You—”
“Stop.” He slides his hands up my neck and cups my cheeks. “Forget the fact that we’re married for a minute. What do you want from me, Lindy? Do you want me? Want us?”
I lift my eyes to his, and the softness there just about kills me. “Have you listened to anything I just said? Of course I want you. I’ve only ever wanted you, you idiot. But I’m scared, Easton. You’ve been my protector for so many years. What if this doesn’t work out? I can’t lose you.”
“You’ll never lose me.” His thumb caresses my skin. “I’m in this for the long haul, princess.”
“But you can’t know that,” I fight back, desperate to get him to feel my fear and take it seriously. “You can’t be sure.”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life, princess. It was always supposed to be you and me. The timing was just never right before.” His words are whispered against my skin, wrapping around me like a safety blanket.
“Easton...” I plead.
“Give us a chance, Lindy.” He presses his lips to my forehead.
Ugh. How am I supposed to think when he’s doing that?
A chance.
Can I do that?
