Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 155037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 517(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 517(@300wpm)
Holy. Heck.
Who was this man? And how did he know how to say all this stuff? Isa didn’t know how to talk like this. It was so darn . . . grown-up. Yeah, her emotional growth might be slightly stunted.
“Trust you?”
“Yes, I want you to trust me. But trust has to be built. It’s not just given away like a lolly scramble.”
“What the heck is a lolly scramble?” she asked.
He smiled. “I once lived with a bunch of Kiwis who told me about them. It’s where they throw candy to kids to pick up.”
“Sounds . . . interesting.”
“When you trust me more, you’ll tell me what you’re thinking and feeling. In the meantime, if you do tell me something, make sure it’s not a lie, okay?”
“And if I don’t want to tell you something?” she asked.
“Then you say that.”
“That simple?” she asked.
“Most things in life are, Princess.”
“You’ll do the same?” she asked.
“Yes,” he replied instantly.
Suddenly, she wanted to tell him. Even if he got mad. “I was trying to tell myself that I shouldn’t want to be yours.”
“That so? How did that go for you?”
“Not so great since I keep thinking about being yours. But I don’t think that’s possible. I’m really sorry if I led you on . . . I’m sorry.”
Isa tried to get off the counter. To get away from him.
Why had she kissed him the other night?
Was he mad? Would he yell? Or would he go for the silent treatment? Perhaps he’d try to change her mind? Make her feel guilty?
Tell her how useless she was . . .
“No,” he said firmly.
Huh? What the heck?
“You can’t just say no!”
“I think you’re misunderstanding me, baby.” He gathered her against him.
She sat stiffly in his arms. She couldn’t relax. “What?”
“I’m not saying that no, you can’t choose. I’m saying no, you don’t get to look at me like you’re terrified of what I’ll do. I’d never hurt you, remember?”
“I . . . I don’t think you’d physically hurt me.”
“Emotional pain can be just as traumatic.” He sounded like he spoke from experience. “Wouldn’t do that either.”
She gulped in a few breaths.
“I want you to calm down for me. Nice deep, slow breaths.”
Shit. This is what she had to do for Loki sometimes. Was this how he felt every time he had a panic attack?
Sorrow filled her for him. For all that he’d been through.
Her breathing slowed and that nauseous feeling in her stomach calmed.
“That’s it. My good girl.”
“I’m not . . . not yours.”
He leaned back, staring down at her with those serious, calm eyes. He placed his finger under her chin again. “You aren’t attracted to me?”
And hello red cheeks.
He ran his thumb over her lips and they parted without thought.
“Because I think you are.”
“Physical attraction isn’t everything,” she whispered.
“No, but it’s a big part.” He slid his thumb into her mouth and she sucked on him with a small moan.
God. How had he known to do this? Isa swore she had some sort of oral fixation. She loved nothing more than sucking on her thumb. She’d been known to do it while she was reading a book or watching television or sleeping.
“You look good like this, baby. I like you. I’m attracted to you. But it’s not just that. I like how sweet you are. Kind. Funny. How when you smile, it’s with your whole body. I like those dresses you wear with your cowboy boots. And I like how loyal you are. You’d do anything for your friends. And I’m a selfish bastard who wants that for himself.”
She moved her head away and his thumb slid free. But he didn’t seem to be upset. He dropped his hands to the counter again, staring down at her.
“You don’t know me.”
“I know you better than you think I do. But I want to know you better. One date. You owe me, remember? Just give me that.”
She swallowed heavily.
“You trust me a little or you wouldn’t have been able to sleep with me in your house.”
Crap. He was totally right.
He cupped her face. “I get you have concerns. Things you might not be able to tell me yet. All I’m asking is that you don’t say no yet. That you give me a chance.”
Asking? She wasn’t certain he was asking.
“You like to be in charge.”
“Yep,” he replied unapologetically. “And if I’m honest, I’m holding back right now.
Sheesh.
Strangely that didn’t scare her. She liked him. Wanted him.
There really wasn’t a reason to say no.
Except for Loki. Who didn’t want her.
“All right. I’ll still go on the date and keep an open mind. No promises, though.”
Satisfaction filled his face.
“You never had any doubts, did you?”
“Nope.”
“Do you always get your way?” she asked.
“Pretty much.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Stay there while I clean this up. Then I’ll make us something for dinner.”
She still wasn’t sure why they couldn’t eat the food from the diner. Sure, it needed heating up. But she was certain it would be fine.