Page 102 of Arrogant Bastard
“The night for what?” Goose bumps pebble across my skin.
“The night you say yes?”
Again, he seems to be waiting for something, but I don’t know what it is. “Haven’t I been saying yes all along?”
“Not quite.”
I laugh softly, and it floats away with the wind. “What? Do you want me to beg?”
“Not exactly.” A smirk flashes over his too-handsome features. “Although begging never hurts.”
I shake my head. “You’re the worst.”
“I am.”
My nails flex against the column, when all I want to do is reach for him.
His head dips low, and he whispers in my ear. “What do you want, Catarina?”
All I have to say isyou, and he’ll take care of the rest. Just one little word. But it will not come, regardless of how much I want to say it.
I bite my lower lip. “I don’t know.”
“Fair enough.” His gaze dips to my mouth, and he brushes his lips against mine. “Sleep well.”
And just like that, he’s gone, disappearing from the lights of the house into the darkness.
With a sigh, I head in and climb the stairs. When I get to my room, I flop backward on the bed and stare up at the ceiling. Frustration is like an irritant against my skin.
What is wrong with me?
As I blink at the ceiling, my body aching with wanting him, it hits me.
I’m afraid.
It’s not stubbornness.
Or pride, like I thought.
It’s not about not wanting to be the one to give in.
It’s fear.
Caden Landry scares me.
He’s the first thing that’s threatened my contained little world in as long as I can remember. All this time, I’ve cocooned myself, isolated from life and risk, but also from reward.
After spending the majority of my childhood feeling one step away from disaster, I found a way to feel safe and never ventured out.
I finally understand what Caden is waiting for.
He’s not being arrogant, or wanting to rub my desire for him in my face.
He’s waiting for me to take that risk—not just on him, but on life. He’s waiting for me to step out of the warm, snug safety of my constraints and leap.
Certainty flows through me, replacing my agitation. I’m right.
This is what he wants.
