Page 80 of My Heart Still Beats
What has he healed from?
But the thought flees as he continues.
“I will never ever rush you, no matter how much I want you. And I do want you, Tessa.”
His voice seems to drop an octave with those last words.
I do want you, Tessa.
“I never thought I could fall in love. It seems like every woman I’ve ever been interested in was focused solely on my money. But you’re not like that, are you?”
I shake my head, still trembling.
Still trembling at his thumb on my lip.
“I could fall in love with you so easily. With that beautiful, haunted soul that I see behind those deep brown eyes.”
I swallow audibly.
Kiss me.
The words again.
And this time—
“Kiss me,” I say softly. “Please. Kiss me, Ben.”
He leans into me, and I close my eyes—
But his lips land on my cheek. He pulls back as I open my eyes.
I raise my eyebrows at him.
“It’s not the right time.” He looks skyward, at the sparkling stars. “I wish it were. I want to feel those lips against my own more than I want to see the next sunrise. But it’s not the right time, and you and I both know that.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ben
I take her hands.
They feel so perfect in mine.
I had to gather all of my willpower not to kiss her when she asked me to.
The words that came from my mouth surprised even me.
So much else going on…so why am I thinking about kissing Tessa Logan?
But when I look into her eyes, I know why.
Because she’s beautiful.
And broken.
And for the first time in my life, I want to put someone’s needs before my own.
The thought frightens me but also invigorates me.
