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He took a calming breath and steadied himself, the wounds still fresh from that day. “She told me it wasn’t mine. She’d been cheating on me for the better part of a year.”
Mia reached out her hand, placing it on his knee. Her touch was a balm, offering him comfort. He placed his palm over hers, rubbing the soft flesh with his thumb. Could she feel this too? The fact that they just seemed to fit?
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m glad it happened. I would have made a very bad choice to remain in a relationship that wasn’t healthy if she hadn’t told me. I would have married her and stayed forever.” It was the first time he could fully admit it and see the positive about the situation.
“Do you still have feelings for her?” Mia asked.
He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. “Maybe a small part of me continues to grieve the relationship that we could have had. I don’t wish her any ill will. But it’s too late for us. I’m not the same man I was. She’s not the woman I want.” He locked eyes with her. Would she understand his meaning? Mia was the only woman he wanted now. He trusted her.
Mia nodded. “Thank you for sharing with me.”
“I’m here to listen to you too.” He cupped her face softly in his hands.
Her gaze wavered as she took a deep breath. “Good to know.”
“You want to tell me what happened earlier?”
Mia pulled away. “It’s just sex.”
Was she reminding him or herself? If he told her it was beginning to be more to him, would she run the other way?
“You were upset.”
Her dark eyes burned with anger as she stood. “I wanted you to fuck me and you stopped.”
He remained seated, trying to stay calm. Fighting the urge to defend himself at her absurd anger, he counted to ten in his head. She was looking for a fight. She wanted to push him away. Anytime he lost his temper around her, he ended up hurting her and that was the last thing he wanted to do. “You’d be the only woman alive who got angry at a man who finished without making her come at least once.”
She crossed her arms, her breathing becoming shallow. Her jaw clenched as if she didn’t know how to respond.
Tell me the truth.
“I’m not an asshole who uses women up. Especially people I care about, like my friends.”
Her shoulders dropped and her jaw relaxed. His word choice seemed to put her at ease.
She sighed and sat next to him again. “I know.”
He draped his arm around her and pulled her into his chest. She just felt right. Like another piece of himself that had been missing for all his life. All his assumptions about her had been wrong. He’d been too scared to admit it before, but the reason he’d hated her was because he could end up falling in love with her. Not that he was there yet. Hell, did he even know what love was? He’d thought he’d loved Tiffany, and look where that had gotten him.
He kissed her forehead and breathed in her coffee-colored hair. Her sweet and spicy scent was intoxicating. His body reacted to her very presence. He wanted to worship her and give her all the pleasure she could handle. He’d show Mia the reverence she deserved.
“Why don’t you come over? I’ll reheat the pasta from last night and then we can finish what we started or do nothing at all—if that’s what you want,” he suggested.
Mia pulled away. “Not tonight. I’m really tired.”
He searched her face, tucking a loose tendril of hair behind her ear. He leaned in and kissed her cheeks before leaving a peck on her nose. She smiled, and the beautiful sight sent a bolt of energy straight through his body. Whatever magic between them was conjured up by this woman alone, and no part of him wanted to leave through that front door unless she was coming with him. “Want me to run you a bath?”
Her brows formed a triangle as if she was surprised.
“I can run a mean bubble bath.” He grinned, hoping he’d set her at ease.
She hesitated, before answering, “I can do it. I appreciate the offer though.”
“Anytime.” He kissed her, slowly, tenderly. Mia melted into his arms as he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, caressing her tongue with his own before releasing her. Her eyes shone with unshed tears as she blinked rapidly, fighting them off.
“You sure you don’t need me to stay?” Let me in.
Mia nodded. “I’m just going to take that bath you suggested and call it an early night.”
“Okay. If that’s what you need.” He turned and walked away despite the tether between them tugging him back towards her. Mia had been patient and supportive of his boundaries. Now it was time he did the same. Because one thing was for certain. He wanted more with Mia, and he’d wait until she was ready.
