Page 21 of Kneeling to Candy

With her opening up, I can’t help smiling, happy to be the person she’s sharing her thoughts with.

“Sounds like a perfect goal.”

“I want to rebuild the trust I broke in the club,” she continues, her voice lightening as her goals flow.

“You’re off to a great start, already working on it.”

A frown forms between her brows. “I’m not sure what else I want to do with my time. But I want to do something meaningful.”

“Baby steps,” I reassure her in as comforting a tone as I can muster through my ragged vocal cords, holding her snugly against me. “You’ll figure it out in time, and I’ll help where you want.”

Candy bites her bottom lip, deep in concentration. I patiently watch her, waiting for her thoughts to resurface.

“And…” Candy sucks in a shaky breath, hesitating before continuing, “I may not deserve it, but I want to be loved.”

Her confession has my heart galloping wildly. However, my emotions quickly jump from elation to concern. “Why would you say you don’t deserve it?”

“Shitty people don’t deserve happiness.”

I scoff at her absurdity. “You’re not a shitty person. I would argue those who’ve been hurt and act out against others need more love than most. And besides, what makes you think you aren’t loved already?”

Candy rolls her eyes. “Nobody loves me, Butch.”

“Not true.”

“It is true,” she grumbles back. “I’m unlovable.”

“You’re wrong—” I quickly bite my tongue, stopping myself short from admitting how hard I’ve fallen for this woman. If I admit my feelings before she’s ready to hear them, I could blow my shot with her before it starts.

Candy pulls away from my chest, scrutinizing my face. It’s a damn good thing my poker face game is solid. Still, I worry she may see what I feel for her lying below the shallow surface of my mask.

Admitting my feelings before Candy is ready to accept them could backfire. I can’t expect this skittish woman to suddenly develop feelings for me before I prove myself worthy of her love. I may have killed one fucker who hurt her and plan on killing the rest, but it doesn’t mean she’ll want me for doing it.

The road to her heart will be like scaling a mountain—an uphill battle all the way. I expect nothing less from a woman who’s been tested time and again at the ugly hands of men. Her standards are bound to be high—as they should—and I intend to rise above those standards to be the best version of myself for her.

It’s only been a week since I felt Candy was in a place where she was done being used by others and ready to grow into the person I know her to be—a strong woman with a heart of fire and spine of steel, unable to bend to anyone against her will again.

We stare at each other for a few more tense seconds before I lick my dry lips and whisper, “You are loved.”

Candy shakes her head, clearly thinking I’m bullshitting her.

My eyes drop to her round, cupid lips and back to her eyes. The urge to kiss her is strong when she inadvertently challenges me.

The words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop myself. “If you want proof, I’d be happy to provide it, however you want me to.”

Candy does a double-take, her mouth falling open.

Yeah, I’m being excessively forward. Oh, well. It’s out now, and I won’t recant it.

My hold on her tightens a fraction. I eye her mouth hungrily again, salivating.

Her brown eyes soften. “Butch…”

My world slows. This is it, the start of our beginning. I urge her to continue with a head nod.

“…this is sudden.”

The hesitation in her voice tells me all I need to know. She’s not ready.

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