Page 41 of Believing in You

She wanted this. She wanted to always feel this sense of happiness that filled her whenever he kissed or touched her intimately. To think, she’d been with men who she thought she had loved, but no one ever made her feel this…complete.

When the kiss ended, Harrison touched his forehead to hers. “While we were talking earlier, I mentioned that you and I are a couple. I shouldn’t have assumed, but Nyla, I want you in my life. I know we’ve only known each other a few months, but this feels right.Wefeel right.”

Nyla knew she should say something, but the words didn’t come. Instead, she pulled back and diverted her gaze as her pulse amped. She wanted to be with him more than anything, but all she kept thinking was that he was out of her league. Sure, he might still be working on himself emotionally, but in every other aspect of his life, he had his stuff together.

“Considering you look like you want to bolt, was I being too presumptuous in thinking we could be a couple?”

She glanced at him. “Harrison, you’re a remarkable man and can have any woman you want. Why me?”

He frowned and his confused expression looked sincere. “Why not you? You’re beautiful, smart, fun to be with, and more than anything, you make me smile. Which is something I haven’t done much of in years, but when I’m with you, I feel… I feel exhilarated.”

“I feel the same way,” she said, her heart squeezing at the conviction in his words. “But I’m still trying to get my life together, and right now, I have nothing to offer you.”

“Nyla, you have given me more in the last few months than I’ve received from anyone in years. You make me happy. You bring me joy. Do you know how valuable that is in the world we live in these days? I understand that you’re putting your life in order while preparing to become a business owner, and I’ll support you anyway I can. I’ll also accept whatever time in your busy days that you can share with me. I just want you in my life.”

She lowered her gaze and nibbled on her bottom lip. Normally, she was a risk taker, trying almost anything at least once. But when it came to matters of the heart, not so much. Especially after John dumped her for not being enough for him.

“What’s this really about? What are you afraid of?”

“I’m afraid I’m going to fall in love with you, and then you’re going to break my heart by telling me I’m not enough for you. That I’m not smart enough, or pretty enough, or hell, even tall enough. I can’t handle another rejection like that.”

He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed the back of her knuckles. “Whatever asshole told you that you weren’t enough for him, didn’t deserve you. Nyla, I’m not him. Maybe I want something different in my life from what he wanted. Besides, don’t lump me into the same category as that jerk. I’m not going to hurt you. You already mean too much to me for that to happen.”

She searched his eyes, hoping he was telling the truth. Butterflies took flight in her stomach and sent her spirits soaring at the idea of being Harrison’s woman. Could she really be enough for him? And could she trust him with her heart?

“Yesterday, you told me that I can trust you, and I do. Now, I need you to trust me,” he said as if reading her mind. “Will you be my woman?”

“Yes,” she said, fighting an overwhelming desire to throw herself into his arms and hold on for dear life. “Yes. A thousand times, yes.”

Despite the center console being in the way, Harrison hugged her tightly and kissed the side of her head.

“Thank you for taking a chance on me.”

Just then, a car slowed and parked in front of them, and Nyla almost groaned when she realized it was Cree and their mother. She was fine with it being her sister, but her mother? Not so much.

She scurried out of Harrison’s hold. “It’s a good thing you suggested we date officially because I kinda told my mother I had a boyfriend.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Oh really. Who was the lucky guy?”

“Actually, you. I figured since you saved me from the ladder at Telecom that day, you automatically became my man.”

He laughed and like usual, the hearty sound warmed her. Though she didn’t think she had time for a relationship, Nyla wanted more than anything to make theirs work. Not just because they both needed some fun in their lives, but Harrison was like a dream come true. He had all of Prince Charming’s qualities and more.

She was definitely going to have to thank Jamie for insisting they get to know each other. But first, she needed to get through this day with her mother.

“That’s my mother, Virginia Priestly, climbing out of the passenger side door,” Nyla whispered as if her mother could hear her.

“I see where you get your good looks from. She’s beautiful,” Harrison said, his voice level matching hers.

They had apparently just come from church if her mother’s wide rimmed, navy-blue hat was any indication. Her heavycream-colored coat hid the outfit, but Nyla was sure it matched the hat, her purse, and her navy-blue high heel boots.

“I should warn you. My mother has been hounding me and my siblings for grandkids. Once you step out of this car, I won’t be able to protect you.”

Harrison grinned, then started laughing. “Surely, she can’t be that bad.”

Just then, her mother stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and stared at the SUV, as if waiting for them to get out.

This time, Nyla did groan. She wasn’t ready to introduce Harrison to her family. Not that she was ashamed of him. No, it had everything to do with the fifty-million questions they might ask him. Especially her mother.

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