Page 82 of Reins

I don’t ask why he paid. I just follow him silently into the parking lot.

Doubt keeps me from reaching for his fingers for comfort, even though his twitch as if he’s beckoning me to him.

My fucking heart aches worse than any lashing. I’d rather it.

I can deal with the physical pain.

I’m just a friend. He said as much inside.

He may not be with Daphne, but he’s also not with me.

Chapter 40 - Cade

The moment I stammered over the introduction, I knew I fucked up. If I couldn’t even be honest with the few friends I have here, what the hell am I doing?

Shit. I can’t even admit the truth to myself.

I’m letting my damn pride ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

When she won’t take my hand I know how badly she’s struggling.

I open the door to the truck and set the food inside on the floorboards, then turn to her. “Ros, I’m sorry.”

She stands to the side, one arm crossing her belly to grip her other. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I was one being dumb.” Her lips tremble as her eyes lift away from me, revealing the shine of unshed tears hovering on the edge of spilling.

Damn it.

Reaching for her, she lets me pull her into my arms. “I broke your dreams, Ros. Please forgive me?”

Her forehead furrows but her gaze finally meets mine. “I don’t—” Her cheek puckers where she bites it on the inside.

“You were hurt by someone who loves you,” I whisper, cradling her to me. All I can hope is that she feels the fierceness of my hold and the truth in my words. “I’ve been so afraid I couldn’t give you everything you need, that I held back the only thing you wanted.”

I run my thumb over her lower lip, then up to wipe the droplets hurtling down her cheeks.

“I just want you,” she whimpers, digging her fingers into my shirt.

“You have me, Ros. My heart belongs to you.” My palms frame her face, tilting her to finally do the one thing I’ve been longing for.

I press my lips to hers.

With a rapid inhale, she freezes in my embrace. Then with the softest touch, she lifts her fingers to light upon my jaw as she melts into me.

Fire rages within me to push for more, to crush her to me and own this sweet mouth that has teased me for weeks.

Instead I gently pull away, staring adoringly down at her pale lashes resting on her flushed, pink cheeks.

“I hated seeing the pain I caused, Ros.” My voice is hoarse with the agony of my own making. “That moment when I saw the doubt and anguish, I knew I couldn’t lie to you, or myself, anymore.” How can I protect her, be a shield for her against the world, if I can’t open the gates to my own walls and let her in?

“Cade?” She raises her fingertips to trace the scars on my cheek, then cups her cool palm over them. “You’re my favorite person.” Her nose buries into the hollow of my throat and she lets out a shuddering exhale. “I don’t want to be just a friend. But—” She raises her red-rimmed eyes to mine. “—I don’t know how to be more.”

Fuck. The emotion that surges through my body could move a mountain.

To truly be accepted by someone who has only ever experienced the absolute worst in the people who were supposed to love her is a privilege I don’t take lightly. I’d do anything to keep that trust.

My thumb smoothes the tension in her jaw then I press another kiss to her forehead. “Ros, you’re everything.”

The entire drive home, she clings to my hand like she’s hanging from a cliff and I’m the only tether.