Page 63 of Nothing to Fear

“A friend of ours owns an airline company.” Naturally. “Bastian Hunt.”

Oh, a name she knew. “Carolyn’s son?”

Could be husband or cousin or—

Surprise startled him. “You really have been chatting it up with mom.”

And for some reason, his intrigue and her triumph was a potent mix. Resting a hand on his thigh, she was tempted to beg another kiss.

“You’re lucky to have them.”

“I know it,” he said, curling his fingers around hers.

“And they’re lucky to have you.”

That triggered his smile. “I’d be lucky to have you.” She tried to take her hand back, but he held it tighter. “Don’t be afraid, baby. Why do you pull away from me?”

“Because I relied on a man once and he left me broken.” All in one rush of unchecked breath, she’d revealed such a vulnerable part of herself. She wanted to pull it back, but couldn’t, she couldn’t tear her eyes from his. “I wasn’t enough for him. There’s no way I can be enough for you.”

“Let me be the judge of that.”

Descending, he cupped her face as he joined their mouths. The kissing was supposed to come after the date. They hadn’t even been on an official date and how many times had they kissed now? God, she was losing her mind, losing her senses, losing her…

TWENTY

HER SIDES ACHED. They’d had a private dinner, maybe a few drinks, and were in the back of the car again.

Darroch was an apt storyteller. The Breckenridge boys’ antics could be made into a movie, a series of them. Money and madness led to a bunch of craziness. They had means and often put them to good use. Every story was some other secret that he and his brothers kept from their mother.

“I can’t believe you did that!”

“It wasn’t my fault, I was just a guy there. Tripp, he’s the one, it was all on him.”

She tugged a Kleenex from the box above the fridge. “You blame a lot on him,” she said, catching moisture at the corner of her eye. “He’s always in the thick of these things.”

“Just the way it is, baby.” Locking his fingers between hers, he pulled them to his lips. “You have an amazing laugh. I could listen to that sweet sound all night.”

His lips were still there, lingering on her skin, as he assessed her.

The Kleenex sank to her lap. “I’ve never laughed so much in my life.”

“It’s a barrel of fun being a Breckenridge,” he said, tracing his lips back and forth. “You’ll see.”

Had she thought resisting her attraction to him would ever be possible?

Parting her lips, she filled her lungs, searching him for what she found in herself.

“You’re an incredible man.”

“Who’s interested in you. Don’t think I’m just an ass who talks about my family all day long.”

“You’re proud of your family.” Just like his mom. “They’re amazing people.”

“I want you to be comfortable. For as long as you want, I’ll fill the silences and keep your mood up. When you’re ready to talk to me, really talk to me, about you, I want every word. But I have no intention of rushing you. We have all the time we need.”

She didn’t expect such calm understanding and patience. The least she could do was give him honesty, voice her misgivings.

“My life isn’t like yours, my upbringing was different…” except she didn’t know that, did she? “I know you said this wasn’t going to be… I don’t know how to be with men like you. This life is a fairytale, and I come from a completely different world. I’m just not… made for it.”

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