Page 35 of The Only Heart that Matters

Luckily, Knox upgraded the room a few years back, installing hardwood floors, a large island with a marble countertop, and a sink in the middle of the room. There’s a heater, a mini fridge, and a leather chair in the corner. I send a silent thank you in my brother’s direction. His intention may have been to make the space nicer for all of us to hang out while we worked, but I plan to make good use of it for a completely different reason tonight.

I set her on the counter and she gasps when her ass comes in contact with the cold marble. I do my best to distract her with akiss on her lips. “Let me turn the heater on.” Another kiss. “Be right back.”

The sound of her feet on the floor has my heart sinking into the deepest part of my stomach. It only takes me a few seconds to turn on the heater, but it’s enough time for her wariness to creep back in.

Has she come to her senses? Is she trying to flee?

When I turn back, she’s dropped her gaze to the floor and shyness reddens her cheeks. A moment ago she couldn’t get enough of me, and I want more of that.

I need her to be on the same page.

With her nerves getting the best of her, she reaches for her ring, and panic flashes in her eyes when she notices it’s missing.

I tug it from my pocket and hold it up. “Looking for this?”

She exhales with relief, but I don’t give it back to her.

Not yet.

Chapter Sixteen

Mia

The room is dark, except for the orange glow of the heater, but as Gus comes closer, there’s no escaping the passion in his eyes. It’s an intense version of him I’ve never seen before. As if after confessing his feelings, he doesn’t have to hide them anymore. Like a weight has been lifted. He seems so sure of what he’s feeling whereas I’m not sure how I even got here.

I’m scared to death of what this all means, but also absolutely terrified of never feeling his lips on mine again.

Nothing has ever felt so right.

“Mia, I’ve wanted you for years, but if you don't want this, tell me now.”

When I don’t reply, he shuffles closer, reaching out and brushing his knuckles over my cheek.

“I know I don’t deserve you. But I’m not sure I can keep fumbling through my days without knowing what it feels like to have you in my arms.” He lazily drags his thumb over my bottomlip, and I do my best not to whimper under his touch. “To be inside you. To hear you say my name when you come.”

My core clinches with desire as my head spins and my heart swells.

Of course, I know we shouldn’t do this. He’s my best friend's brother and if he knew my secrets, he would hate me. Because they’re unforgivable. But his words. His touch. It’s all so intoxicating, and I don’t have the self-preservation to stop him or to speak, so he carries on.

“I’ve already said it, but to make sure things are crystal clear, I’ll say it again. You consume every one of my thoughts. Every. Single. Day. I’m tired of wondering what it would be like to be with you. I need to know.”

Still stunned silent, I lean into his touch and his hands reach inside my coat and roam over my hips to the top of my ass as he pulls me against him.

“Just once, Mia. No expectations. Just this one moment between the two of us. Nobody ever has to know. It will be something just for us.”

Deep down, I know this is a mistake. Look what happened the last time someone said similar words to me.

But this is different.

Angus is different.

I have had feelings for this man for as long as I can remember, and he’s making it nearly impossible to reject his offer when I want nothing more than to have this with him.

Not only do I want Angus, but since the day I found out I was pregnant, I had turned off the part of me that allowed myself to feel wanted. I have done nothing for myself since and even though this goes against my better judgment, I don’t want to let this chance slip through my fingers. Who knows if a night like tonight will ever come my way again?

If he can be brave, maybe I can too.

He deserves to know his feelings are reciprocated.

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