He nods and reaches for my hand with his free one. “I take it you’ve known for a while?”
“I knew it was you the minute I saw you last year.” I wet my lip. “I always had this idea in my head you’d be there to protect me, and then there you were the first day I walked into Rosehaven. And you were big and strong and wore a smug look on your face like the boys had that day. Outwardly, you acted a bit like them. And I didn’t know what to think.” I look down, picking up my pencil and flicking it absentmindedly to have something to do with my hand. “And then you looked at me, and I was terrified that the boy I’d grown up idolizing … Well, I thought you’d become one of those intimidating, cocky jerks.”
“Daphne, if I had realized it was you, I would have made sure you knew differently. You know the real me. I promise.” His teeth sink into his lower lip and his eyes implore me to believe him.
Slowly, I nod my head, unsure what else to say.
Micah shifts the pack of peas. “So, that’s why you gave me funny looks when we first started being thrown into the same spaces—when Scarlett and Xander got involved with each other.”
“Yep.” I let the P pop on my lips.
“And that day when Shayne and Carter caught you in the locker room. It reminded you of that day at the park. And then they did it again in the parking lot.”
“That day—that trauma—has affected my whole life.” I have to remind myself to breathe. I inhale carefully, then let a steady stream of air out through pursed lips. My emotions threaten to spin out of control.
“I did think about you, you know. I wondered if you were okay. But you wouldn’t tell me your name that day and you took off and told me not to follow you. I even looked for you at Rosebud Academy when school started again.”
I shake my head. Quietly, I murmur, “I went to River Bend.”
Micah sets the bag of peas on the table and reaches for me, pulling my chair closer. He drags the knuckle of his forefinger in a path down the side of my cheek.
My heart thunders at his touch, and I lean into it.
“I’ve missed you so fucking much, Daph.”
I wait a beat before meeting his gaze. “Same. Makes me an idiot, though, doesn’t it?”
He lets out a deep sigh. “No. It means things are more complicated than you know.”
A sad smile crosses my lips. “I was a little afraid of that.”
“I’m scared I’m going to somehow hurt you. Maybe I’m not the best thing for you right now.” He glances down. “It kills me to say that.”
“Micah? I need—” My breath hisses out as my eyes flutter shut. “Come with me?” I stand up and hold out my hand to him.
He looks genuinely perplexed but he takes it and rises from the chair.
I lead him to the living room, gesture that he should sit, and then curl up next to him, resting my head on his chest. “I want to feel your arms around me.”
“Come here.” He pulls me sideways onto his lap. We sit there for what feels like a long time while I seek solace in the safety of his arms.
Micah strokes his hand over the back of my head through my hair, over and over again. I should be calm right now, but being this close to him always makes my heart race.
I lift my head from his chest, studying his injuries. Up close, the bruising on his cheek looks worse than before. I gently skim my fingertips over it. “You’ll tell me later?”
Micah nods, staring deeply into my eyes. “I need you so much, Daph.” His words reach right into my heart, burrowing deep. His lips hover close to mine as our chests rise and fall in time with each other. With a tormented groan, his lips claim mine.
He kisses me like he means it.
Like he missed me.
Like I’m his.
I savor the minty taste of his mouth and the way his tongue licks, strokes, and curls with mine. He makes me ache for more.
Micah’s hand sneaks under my T-shirt, cupping my breast. He groans as he breaks our kiss to help me straddle him. “I fucking missed you. Missed this. You’re mine, Daph.” He kisses me again, gripping my thighs firmly before sliding his hands back to my ass.
We grind together, and I drop my mouth back to his, needing that connection with him. Staring into the depths of his eyes, I see everything he’s feeling. He cares for me. He’s truly sorry for hurting me. My desire for him bubbles to the surface. “Micah, I want you to touch me.”