Page 84 of Wild Card

To my horror, the tears return.

The lust and desire in his gaze transform to apprehension, and he shifts to his side, his hand spanning my torso.

I’m so fucking stupid!

“I’m—”

“Shhh, we’ll take this at your pace.”

“It’s not that. I’m overly emotional.”

“Been a rough few days.”

“It has but that’s not the reason. This morning, I woke in your bed, feeling better than I have in weeks. So many things became clear. You’re a really great guy who didn’t blink an eye with all my drama. You stood up for me with my dad and my mom.”

“Your dad was being a dad. Your mom—we’ll discuss her another time.”

“You took care of me.”

His palm cradles my cheek, his thumb wiping my tears. “I’ll always take care of you.”

“I’ve been difficult and you’re still here.”

“Not going anywhere.”

“Thank you for your persistence.”

“You’re worth it.”

More tears fall. “I was wrong. Joseph isn’t anything like you. I was trying to guard myself. Your job scares me. You’re larger than life and I’m a bore.”

His lips tip up on one side, his eyes filling with amusement. “You’re not a bore.”

“I told you in the hospital I was scared.”

“And I told you not to be.”

“This all feels different than anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s so much so fast, and yet it feels natural.”

“You’re finally cluing in. It is natural because it’s meant to be.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because when I saw you across the room at Tom’s, my heart woke up.”

“Oh, shit.” A sob breaks free. “I almost fucked this up. I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions.”

He lays his forehead to mine. “You couldn’t fuck this up.”

I take my time, kissing each scar over and over until I’ve memorized them.

“I should go apologize to Rowan. Try to redeem myself after running out in theatrics.”

“Rowan and Ford went to visit her family in Alabama for a few days. It’s one of the reasons she is upset about not meeting you sooner. After our incident, she’s inserted herself into my life like a sister. A meddlesome sister. Which is why, when Ford learned you were coming here, he planned this trip. He knew I needed a few days with you to myself.”

A bubble of laughter creeps up. “Scheming sneak.”

“I like to think of it as conspiring brilliance.”

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