My body hums with anger. I’m angry he had the nerve to kiss me. And the tipping point of my anger is the fact my body loved every second of it, girlfriend or not.
He wasn’t wrong. I feel it too; I’m just not sure what I’m supposed to do with it. I felt his reaction to our kiss against my soaking wet core. There is no way he could have faked a reaction like that. I’m just having a hard time understanding how he could feel that way about me. Each time I’ve been face-to-face with him has been during the most humiliating of situations. I’ve been at my worst. Those magazines he claims prints lies can’t make up the kind of woman he usually has at his side and they’re nothing like me.
“You’re right. They couldn’t hold a candle to you,” he says, breaking into my thoughts with a smooth purr of hypnotizing tones.
I snort out a laugh and throw my hand over my mouth, my eyes widening. Well, that’s just lovely; apparently, my thoughts slipped through my lips yet again. I really need to work on that.
His distressed gaze falters at my unladylike display. Those full lips curling. The way he looks at me is so unnerving.
Well, Eddie—what was it he said? Life begins at the end of your comfort zone? I’m so far outside of my safe zone of comfort; I might as well be on another planet.
“I don’t have the slightest clue what I’m doing here,” I tell him honestly. “Things like this don’t happen to girls like me.”
Those crystal eyes slight, and he cocks his head adorably. “That’s not the first time you’ve referred to yourself negatively, Willow.”
I laugh again, his eyes narrowing further. “Yeah, well, one thing you should know about me, Kane, is that I’m not exactly the most positive person.”
“And why’s that?”
Yeah, right. As if I’m going to open the floodgates of the cesspool of my many issues.
“Willow? I asked you a question.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a very intimidating person?” I hedge.
“Wouldn’t be the first time. But you don’t get to where I am by not taking what you want.”
“Look,” I start. Hike up those big girl panties, Willow. “I’m really not sure what I’m supposed to say here. I don’t understand why I’m here … with you … and I’m really not sure I trust you and whatever is motivating this situation.”
His features smooth out and he reaches out, again, to take my hand. I try to resist, but his determination is something I can’t match. I shift uncomfortably and swallow the lump in my throat.
“You don’t know me, Willow, but I don’t lie. You’re here because I want you here. Sure, I went about it unconventionally, but I live a life that isn’t conventional in the least. I’m the kind of man who takes what he wants with no apologies. So I won’t give you any. Just like you don’t know me, I don’t know you, but what I’ve felt by just being around you makes me believe it’s a feeling worth some drastic measures to explore further. I took what drastic measures I needed in order to rectify the situation at hand.”
“And that situation being me?”
He laughs. “The situation has everything to do with you. I haven’t felt a bond like I feel with you toward anyone in a damn long time, if ever, and I would be a stupid man not to use all my cards to explore that.”
“And your girlfriend?” I question, my voice coming a heck of a lot more steady than the rapid beating of my heart.
“I told you, I don’t lie. I don’t have a girlfriend, Willow.”
I sigh, shifting again before pulling at my top when I feel it tighten against my belly. I don’t miss the way that his eyes move to follow my hands movements.
Crap.
“I’m going to be honest,” I warn him, shifting again. My body betraying the calm I’m trying to present outwardly.
“Please do.” He nods, the hand still holding mine and giving me a squeeze before his dexterous fingers sweep across my wrist, spiking my already pounding heart to dangerous levels.
“Okay,” I squeak, clearing my throat. I look down at our connected hands and take a deep breath. “You … the things you talk about … crap.”
“Willow, you can speak your mind,” he assures, his voice calm and low.
“This has never happened to me. I’m not sure I can be the person you want me to be.” Spit it out, dang it. “You’ve seen me twice before, that I know of, and both of those times could probably sum up the downward spiral of my life. I’ve been a roller coaster of dips and turns that have made me a skeptical person who doesn’t have the type of … confidence that you seem to exude. I’ve learned it’s easier to tighten my buckle and take the safer rides in life. Ones that don’t set me up to fall on my tail.”
He’s quiet for a moment when I finish speaking, but his eyes are telling me everything his silence isn’t. Kane is a smart man, so I’m sure he’s reading between the lines with no difficulties at all.
“Three times,” he says confusing me for a second before I remember his claim to have seen me years before.