"I do." I try to reassure him. He's probably freaking out over the fact that the man I bought the pretzel from at lunch winked at me. I should confess that he winks at every woman who gives him a dollar tip.
"I feel things." His voice cracks and my breathing stalls. "Things I don't know how to feel."
I can't move. I can only listen and feel his emotions race through me.
"I fuck women." I sense the stubble of his chin on my cheek as he shakes his head slightly. "I used to fuck women and I didn't think twice about them. I couldn't tell you their names or what they looked like anymore."
I don’t respond. I can't say a word. He's being more open right now than he's ever been. I can't derail this.
"I can tell you that the second tooth on the upper left side of your mouth is slightly crooked. Not enough that anyone would notice but it makes your smile more beautiful."
I feel my eyes swell with tears as I listen intently to his words.
"I can tell you that when you laugh you pull your hand to your face to cover your perfect mouth. Every time you laugh. I first noticed it when you were at the restaurant with your roommates. It's adorable."
I nod. I do that. I know I do that. I've always done that.
"I can tell you that you say my name unlike anyone else on the planet and I live for the sound of it. Sometimes I just close my eyes and imagine the word rolling from your lips. I could listen to it forever."
"I don't say it differently."
"Say it now."
"Nathan."
"Like that." He pulls my body into his. "Just like that."
I smile at his reaction.
"I can't stand the thought of another man knowing any of this." His lips push into my shoulder. "Promise me you won't let anyone else see this part of you. Promise me."
I nod my head in silence. I don't know what to say. Something has shifted between us. That small crack that I saw with
in him has split wide open.
Chapter 19
"I'm going to Boston next weekend. Are you working?" I love how casually he shares information about his life. It's been a week since his tender confession in the bedroom and I've spent every night tucked into his bed and his life.
"Just on Sunday." I sigh. "I have Saturday off. Bryce's girlfriend is coming to town so we're going to hang out."
"That'll be fun?" It's more of a question than a statement and I can't help but laugh.
"It will be." I push back against his chest. "I haven't met her yet, but I hear great things about her whenever I catch Bryce long enough to talk to him."
"You'll have a good time." His hand drops to stroke my thigh. "Are you taking her to your restaurant?"
"No." I shake my head slightly. "Somewhere simple and then to a movie."
"What about Rebecca?"
"Hot date or something." I shrug as I run my hand down his chest. "Or maybe it's just an excuse because she doesn't want to hang out with me."
"How could anyone not want to hang out with this?" He pulls the blanket off of both of us with one swift flick of his wrist.
"You're such a charmer." I push my back into the sheets, pulling my hand over my breasts. "You know just what to say to a girl to make her wet."
"Make her wet." His full lips graze over mine with a heated touch. "You're always wet for me, Jessica."