And I wasn’t sure Dani could.
I’m not sure if I want to let her.
“Look, Dani, all I’m saying is that life can change at the drop of a hat. One minute, things are going smoothly. And the next, you’re face down in a puddle of your own blood. I would understand if you decided it was too much for you.”
She stopped drinking. “What are you saying?”
“I’m giving you an out.”
She put her drink down. “An out?”
“Yes. An out. A chance to walk away.”
Her gaze found my stare. “As in, a chance to end this. You and me. What we’re doing here.”
I nodded. “Yes. One chance. You have this moment to walk away without any repercussions at all. But if you stay in this with me, then you’re fucking in it. Because I don’t let go when I want something. I never have, and I never will. And I’ve never wanted something the way I want you, gorgeous. Ever.”
I watched her cheeks turn pink. I watched them heat as a soft smile crossed her face. Damn it, she was the cutest little thing I’d ever come across. And I’d be fucked if she left. She looked radiant in the moonlight. Her purple blouse matched her lips and her sparkling eyes stared up at me. As if I were the end-all-be-all of her life. She’d never looked so beautiful to me. So adorable. So cute.
I wanted to kiss her until she couldn’t breathe. But I settled for slipping my hand against her knee. I resisted the urge to drag her against me and permanently etch that blush across the whole of her body. Right here, in this fucking booth. I had to resist. I couldn’t sway her decision. She had to make this on her own. I couldn’t make this choice for her.
“I’ve never wanted anything the way I want you either,” she whispered.
I shrugged. “Might not be worth it.”
“That’s for me to find out, isn’t it?”
I searched her eyes. “Danger is inevitable with me. Lots of it.”
She threw her head back. “Hah! Hah! Hah! I laugh in the face of danger.”
I furrowed my brow. “What?”
“Lion King?”
“Huh?”
She blinked. “The Disney movie?”
“Uh…”
Her jaw fell open. “Haven’t you ever seen The Lion King?”
I shook my head. “No clue what you’re talking about.”
She scoffed. “How the hell have you never seen The Lion King? It’s a classic, Max. What the hell did you watch as a child? Paint dry?”
“Wasn’t much of a television kid. I liked mud.”
“But what about snow days? Or sick days? Or rainy days? Lion King was my go-to movie on sick days.”
“Rainy days are the best for mud pies. Snow’s fun to play in. I never got sick.”
“You never got sick as a kid.”
“Not severely, no.”
She snickered. “Well, then we’re watching that movie together for our next date. You, me, Disney, popcorn, and a blanket. Oh! And soda. Can’t forget the soda. With two straws. We’re going to go old school for this next one.”