Page 97 of Seven Summers Ago
“I know for someone who doesn’t forgive easily, when you do, you’re gracious and benevolent.”
His eyes soften but he just shrugs a shoulder and glances down at his bare feet.
“You’re patient. I always admired the way you handled the responsibilities of caring for Milo.”
He plucks a splinter of wood that’s peeling off the side of the railing. “I figured he could use some gentle parenting for a change.”
He’s attempting to play off these qualities I’m pointing out. Like he’s been so beaten down he doesn’t even know how to take a compliment. And the fact I might’ve had something to do with that causes my heart to break.
“I’ve seen it with Charlie too,” I say softly.
This catches his attention enough that he lifts his gaze to meet mine. His eyes crinkle slightly and the brown hue goes glossy. I smile and lift my chin, reassuring him of my words.
He clears his throat. “She’s a good kid. It’s easy to be patient with her.”
“Yeah, well, she wasn’t always easy.”
He purses his lips and wrinkles his brow. I’m hit with the reminder that he didn’t know her then. And it’s my fault he didn’t.
“The teenage years probably won’t be easy either,” I add.
“I hope I get to be around for those.”
The blow punches me again. “Beck,” I say on an exhale. “You will. Now that she knows, and you know.”
“You think she’s going to want to keep spending time with me?” he asks, concern smearing his expression.
“Are you kidding?” I reach for his arm without thinking. “She’s crazy about you. Probably because you both are so much alike.”
“I’m pretty crazy about her too.” His lips pull into a smile. “And her mom.” He releases the admittance like it’s effortless.
Beck plucks my hand from his arm and holds it, gently caressing his thumb across my knuckles. My body tingles in response to the roughness of his calloused hand and my heartbeat picks up speed as I draw in closer to him. He locks his gaze with mine and I feel it again—that damn resistance band. When I search his eyes, I’m flooded with want and desire. I see my hopes and dreams so vividly staring back at me.
I see my future.
My brain is overloaded with questions of demographics and logistics. But my heart is pushing out strained beats against my ribs at the idea of this thing between us being a real possibility again.
“Beck, I?—”
“I know it doesn’t make any sense. Thatwedon’t make any sense. Not now. But the way I see it, we never made any sense. And that didn’t stop us before. Why let it stop us now?” He tugs me closer.
“You’re right, we don’t make sense. Look how it worked out for us?” I say it like a question, as if he somehow forgot.
“But that’s the thing, it hasn’t ended. Not for me.” His eyes search mine and the fire burns between us, scorching my body and reaching all the dormant parts of me. “And something tells me it hasn’t ended for you either.”
Tears well up in my eyes and my heart races as the energy buzzes between us. He holds me closer, and the feeling of being desired and wanted is exhilarating. Every fiber in my body is alive and craving the attention it’s been starving for. The satisfaction only he can grant me.
“It hasn’t,” I admit on a soft sob, the confession breaking something free in my body.
With zero hesitation, he takes me by the hand and yanks me back inside the apartment. He snatches my coffee and sets both mugs on a side table. And I almost protest. Have I had enough coffee for this…for whatever is about to happen?
Before my brain has time to comprehend what is going on, he shoves me against the closed door, stealing my breath. He cups his palms to my cheeks, the roughness of his hands stroking my skin. His eyes are dark and lustful as they dance over mine with intention. Looking at me like he wants to devour me. And I think if he doesn’t pull away now—I will let him.
I will let him consume all of me.
His hands skid downward where he pushes pressure with his thumbs into the sides of my neck. “You’re more beautiful now than ever,” he confesses on a rush of breath. “I’ve been wanting to tell you that since I first laid eyes on you at the beach that night by Dottie’s. But you know how stubborn I can be.”
Warmth expands in my chest and a smile pulls at my lips. I take a hold of his hands while they’re still clasping my neck. “I know,” I whisper. “And I guess I’m stubborn too. Because I haven’t told you…my engagement is off.”
