Page 63 of Hothead

Because he’s right. You’re running. That’s what you do best.

“People can’t hurt you if they can’t find you,” she whispered.

“I’m not going to hurt you, angel.”

“You will.” Her words were still quiet, her tone resigned.

“No, Bella.” Luke reached across the table and grasped each of her hands, squeezing them tight as he looked so deep into her, she was finding it hard to swallow. “I’d hurt myself and the whole fucking world before I ever hurt you, that I promise.”

She wanted to believe him. So badly. But fuckboys didn’t magically turn into princes overnight. The man had never once had a relationship and now all of a sudden he was in love. What made her so special? It was impossible to wrap her head around it.

“Why me?” she asked.

A look of confusion crossed Luke’s face. “What?”

“I said,why me?You’ve been with plenty of women.” She pushed down the nausea those words conjured. “What makes you think, after all this time, you’re ready to be with someone ... ready to love someone? Ready to love me?”

He squeezed her hands again. “Sweetheart, how are you not getting this?” A small smile tipped his lips.

“Getting what?” she dared ask.

“No other woman wasyou. I’ve been waiting my whole life foryou, Bella. Don’t you get it?” She was held hostage by the flames dancing in his eyes. They thickened the air, made it crackle. “You were right about the walls I put up. Nothing short of a bulldozer would get them to crumble. I made sure of that. But I realize now that they’ve been falling ever since the day I met you. And now there’s nothing left. They fell. For you. So I could love you the way you’re meant to be loved.”

That was a good fucking answer. Back was the chest pain. Only this time, she was finding it hard to breathe. It wasn’t helping that his intense gaze was still boring into her. Expectantly.

What the hell am I supposed to say to that?

Luckily, she didn’t have to reply, not yet anyway, as he continued to shock her into submission.

“Move in with me?”

“Huh?” was all she could manage.

“Move in with me,” he repeated. “Come back to Woodvalley.”

“You’re insane.”

“Insanely in love.” His smile was now full-blown. “Come on, angel. Move in with me.”

The man’s cockiness never failed to shock her; she hadn’t even told him she loved him back. She had even run from him. Twice. And yet here he was, asking her to move in. After knowing her for the grand total of four weeks.

But you do love him, don’t you?

Nothing could stop the sigh from leaving her lips. She did love him, it was true. But that didn’t mean Luke wasn’t acting certifiable, which is what she told him.

“What have you got to lose?” was his reply.

“Everything.”

“Or nothing? Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t love me.”Oh shit.She couldn’t. Wouldn’t. And he knew it. Was using it against her. “Come on, angel. What are you waiting for?”

“Fine!” she might have yelled. “Fine. I love you, okay, Luke.” She was getting louder. “Are you happy? I said it. I love you, and I’m scared shitless you have the power to hurt me more than anyone else ever could.”

“What did you say?” he panted.

She couldn’t tell if he was being serious or not, so she didn’t answer. Not that he waited for her to. He was sliding out of the booth and tugging her out of her seat a moment later, his hand going to her waist, easily pulling her into him as he searched her expression.

“You love me?”

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