“Too much coffee today?” he asks.
After stressing about this all day, I know I need to suck it up and get this over with. It’s better to know now if this is just a casual thing, right? What I can’t deal with is the not knowing.
“I might have had one too many cups of coffee but that’s not it. I’m just really not good with ambiguity.”
“What’s ambiguous?” Brooks looks confused. And sexy. So sexy.
I start to explain, but I snap my mouth shut. Suddenly I don’t want to bring this up. I just want to enjoy my time with him and not risk upsetting whatever this thing is. What happens if he’s not ready to define this? Or worse, what if he confirms the worst things I’ve been thinking? That maybe this is just a quick fling. An itch to scratch. What if he just enjoys the chase? I already slept with him. Did that start a timer on his interest in me?
I don’t have to say a thing though because Brooks must see what I’m thinking written all over my face. His confusion melts into a wide, heartbreaking smile, and he brushes my hair behind my ear. His fingertips trace their way down my neck, stroking the length of my arm. He takes my wrist in his hand, rubbing his thumb over the sensitive skin and a shiver runs through me.
“Oh Sugar. There’s no ambiguity here. I’m going to be greedy with you for as long as you’ll let me. This is new and we can see how it goes but I’m telling you right now, I’m keeping you for myself.” His grip tightens on my wrist as he leans in and trails kisses along my jaw.
I think I’ve forgotten how to breathe properly. Brooks pulls me sideways across his lap, holding my face in one of his big calloused hands. The steering wheel is digging into my hip, but I don’t care. My heart is racing as we kiss. I want more of him, but my stomach growls loud enough to interrupt us.
“Jesus, I need to feed you,” Brooks laughs. He slides me back over into my seat and waits for me to buckle up before pulling back out onto the road.
“Keep kissing me like that and I might let you keep me,” I tell him, heart fluttering. “I kind of like you.” He lifts my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles and giving me a heartbreaking smile.
I’ve always protected myself, careful not to let anyone close enough to hurt me. No one has ever been worth the risk before. This feels a lot like jumping off a bridge with just a bungee cord between my heart and the rocks below.
I didn’t mean to let Brooks in, but he busted the damn door off the hinges and got in any way. Please don’t break my heart, I silently pray.