Page 116 of His White Moonlight
“Doubt it,” I said, fighting not to give in to the need to try to tug my hands free.
“If you can overcome your fear of me by the end of the summer, I won’t move to Coalwell with you.”
“What does overcoming my fear mean?Let you have sex with me?”I asked, unable to keep my scorn from my tone.
“No, not sex.It’s as simple as it sounds.Be around me without being afraid.Any other emotion is fine except fear.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m the one person you’ll never need to fear.”
My heart gave an unsteady thump, and I finally turned my head to meet his gaze.“You’re the person I need to fear most.”
That smile ghosted his lips again.“Looks like we’re going to be roommates for a long time.”
“It’s an unfair deal.What if you threaten to hit me?Of course, I’m going to be afraid.”
He shook his head.“I would never do that.But you’re right.We should be specific.You need to do three things without being afraid.Hold my hand.Hug me.Kiss me.”
“I’m not kissing you.”
“Okay.Let me know what day we’re moving.”
“I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.That’s the fear talking.If you don’t see me as a potential mate, the three conditions we set won’t be a big deal.But I think you’re afraid I might be right, which is why this bet scares you.”
“No deal.I’m the one taking all the risk.”
“I promise you I’m taking a bigger risk.What do you think watching you leave again will do to me?”
I studied his blown-out pupils and felt the trembling in his hands.Everything Grandma said ran through my head again.
“The entire time I’m at Coalwell, you’ll stay away?”
His mask slipped, and I saw the desperation in his gaze even as he nodded.
“How do I know you’ll keep your word?”
“That’s the whole point of this deal, isn’t it?Let me show you that you can trust me, Wrenly.”
“You can start by letting go of my hands.”
“Figure out a way to make me.”He didn’t say it like a threat, but as a plea.
I lightly twisted my hand in his hold and was able to move it, but when I tried to tug it free, he wouldn’t let go.His mask slipped back into place as I studied him, trying to figure out what he wanted from me.Then I realized he’d already said it.
My gaze dipped to his mouth.A rush of panic zipped through me, and I looked away.He didn’t move or say anything as I continued to test his hold carefully.
“I’m afraid you’ll take anything I do as a yes,” I admitted.
“I’ll only take a yes as a yes, Wrenly.Anything else is still a no.”He dipped his head to my neck, breathing in my scent, then added, “I’m not a fool.I know exactly what you’ll do if I mark you before you’re willing to accept me.”
His words teased my ears and made my pulse race faster.I twisted my hands again.This time, I turned them so our hands were palm to palm, and I threaded my fingers through his.
He made a pained sound and dropped his forehead to my shoulder.
It felt like my heart was going to beat right out of my chest.I was so afraid that if I could have, I would have pushed him and run.
