"You're more like a cat. Independent. Smart. Patient."
"Moody and difficult?"
"No." He moves closer. "It doesn't matter if you're a virgin. No one cares."
"I care."
"I don't believe you."
"Fuck you."
"It wouldn't be hard for you to find a guy to fuck."
"How do you know?" My temper flares. He's such a fucking know it all. "Maybe I haven't slept with anyone because no one wants me."
"Bullshit. Every guy in that room would kill for a chance with you."
"Kill who?"
"Me. That's the only way it would happen." His eyes bore into mine. "You're fucking irresistible, Kaylee."
"But you..." You're resisting me just fine even with all the illicit things you want to do to me.
I've seen your journal.
I know how you think of me.
I...
I stare back at him. "Do you mean you..." My voice is soft. Barely a whisper. "Do you want me?"
He plants his palm against my check. Wipes a stray tear with his thumb. "It doesn't matter. I'm your guardian. That's it."
"What if you weren't?"
"I am."
"But what if that didn't matter? What if we were just two people who wanted each other? If I had my own place and my own life?" I lean into his touch. "Would you want me then?"
Chapter Eighteen
Brendon
There's vulnerability in Kaylee's green eyes.
No matter what I say, my answer is going to break her.
I don't want you.
I want you, but we can't be together.
She presses her fingertips into her knees. Her eyes stay fixed on mine.
They demand an answer.
God, I wish I could tell her what she wants to hear.
I wish we lived in some alternate universe where this could happen.