Page 69 of Sweet Shots

“Problem?”

“Missing me.” He steps in, wrapping his arm around my waist and bringing his mouth to mine. I suck in a sharp breath through my nose, loving the way his body feels against mine. “Told you I’d take care of you.”

I smile, resting my forehead on his shoulder and rocking it back and forth.

“This is crazy.”

His other arm comes around me. “Yeah,” he agrees. “But I’m okay with it.”

I lift my head, meeting his gaze. “I’m trying to be.”

He nods in understanding. “Let’s talk about it.” He lets go of me and steps further in, closing the door. Going to the couch, he stops before sitting and looks at me. “Well, come on.”

With a huff, I go to the couch and drop down, groaning at the pain when I do. My tea is probably cold by now, but I’ll still drink it.

“You know I don’t like talking about things,” I say, reaching for my mug.

“Yes, but you also know I’m not like other people, so maybe talking to me will make you feel better. Try it.”

He settles against the couch, close enough that I can smell him but not so close I feel smothered.

“This is… a lot.”

“Yes,” he agrees.

I frown. “You agree?”

“Of course.”

“Then why are you so… okay with it?”

“Are younotokay with it?”

I shrug, staring into the brownish-red liquid in my cup. It’s a raspberry tea, a new brand I’ve never tried before. It’s not my favorite, but I don’t hate it.

“It’s confusing. Overwhelming. Scary.”

“So it’s not that you don’t like it, it’s just different and new and, like you said, scary.”

“I guess, yeah.”

He nods, putting his hand on my thigh.

“Everyone deals with that stuff differently, Mikah. I face fear head on. I enjoy the thrill, like not knowing where it’s going to take me. You’re different, and that’s okay. You’re hesitant and weigh the pros and cons of things. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“There is when it stops me from doing things.”

Dominic grins, taking my hand. “But you haven’t stopped this.”

“Because you make me feel… good.”

“And I bet a lot of other things would too, if only you gave them a chance.”

I chew on my lip, thinking that over. He’s right. I know he’s right. It’s what I’ve been going back and forth over in my head. Not only recently, but always. I worry too much, this is something I know. I’ve been told the exact thing by many people over the years, but I’ve never actively tried to stop. I’ve never tried to deal with it. I just brushed it off asthat’s who I am.

“Can I ask you something?” he says, linking our fingers together.

I love when he holds my hand. They fit so perfectly together.

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