Bridger took her right hand between both of his. “You don’t have to be confused about me, love. Just know I’m never leaving your side, and it makes it easy.”
Avalyn’s throat went dry, and warmth surged through her. What she wouldn’t give to agree with him. He should definitely never leave her side. Yet how could she figure things out with him nearby? His smell alone confused her thought processes. “Bridge …”
He bent his head closer. “I don’t like the sound of that ‘Bridge.’”
Avalyn pushed out a shaky laugh. “I think we need some time … and space, to figure out where we stand.”
Bridger’s mouth pursed. “I know where I stand—right next to you.”
Avalyn put a hand to her heart. “You’re killing me here.”
The corners of his lips lifted into a cocky smirk. He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. Avalyn trembled from his simple touch and the desire and dedication in his eyes. “After I’ve worked so hard to protect you?” he asked.
Avalyn smiled. “Thank you, Bridger. These past few days …” She shuddered. “The only good part was you.”
He studied her for a few beats. “Yet you still don’t trust me,” he said quietly.
Avalyn pulled her hand free, and she rested her hands in her lap. “I know you’re a good man, one of the best, but your lifestyle …” She shrugged. “I guess you’re right. I don’t trust that you won’t just fall back into old patterns with women as soon as we hit the ground and they flock to you as usual.”
“I can’t even see another woman when you’re around, Ava.”
She clutched her hands. “Can you please give me some time to see that for myself? To believe that you’re done being a player?” Ramsey’s testimony that Bridger had always loved her had touched her, but Ramsey had said in the next breath something about all the women Bridger had been with. She hated that.
Bridger’s brow furrowed. “How much time?”
“I don’t know. Let’s just deal with all the media that Ramsey probably created with this mess and go back to our lives. I’ll know when I can trust you.”
“So I’ll stay with you always. Then you can see that I couldn’t care less about other women.” He nodded as if it was all decided.
How Avalyn wished she could agree. The thought of being apart from him hurt deep down. “I’ve watched you through the media for a long time, Bridge. I think that’s the best way for me to watch and decide—from afar.”
“The media always skew things. You can’t trust those idiots.”
“They can’t skew your arms around a woman.”
He shrugged and blew out a breath. “So you’re going to go back to your life and I’m going to go back to mine, and then, what, in a week we’ll get together?”
“Not a week.” Even a week sounded too long, but she had to do this, had to know if he could be faithful to her. “Maybe a month.”
He clenched his fist and bounced it against his leg. “I hate this, Ava. I just want to be with you.”
“Maybe for the first time in your life you’ll have to wait for something, prove you really want it.”
His eyes narrowed. “That was hurtful.”
Avalyn laughed. “Really? You know I’m telling the truth. You’re naturally talented, handsome, and insanely wealthy. Everything you’ve wanted falls right into your lap.”
“Everything but you.” His gaze intensified.
“I guess you really do owe Ramsey for that,” she said flippantly.
Bridger undid her seat belt, wrapped his hands around her waist, and plucked her right out of her seat. Avalyn gasped as he transferred her quickly to his lap. “I’ll give you your month, if that’s what you want,” he said, his breath short and his gaze never leaving her face. “But I want you to know exactly what you’re missing out on every minute we’re apart.”
Avalyn had no strength to protest as his lips covered hers. The kiss was intense and full of passion and love. Bridger’s desire and commitment came through the kiss. She’d never felt so needed and wanted. His hands stayed safely around her waist, but his kiss promised a lifetime of passion, caring, and happiness … if she’d only say yes.
Avalyn pulled back, her chest heaving and her heart thumping out of control.
“I love you, Ava,” Bridger said. “I’ll give you all the time and space you need, but you have to know there’s no one for me but you. I’ll never give up on us.”