Page 60 of At First Smile
My heart soars and I go on, “I’m scared of thunderstorms. I tell peopleThe Godfatheris my favorite movie, but it’s reallyHomeward Bound. I cry like a baby every time Shadow is reunited with Peter.”
Her grin widens.
“Finn is my favorite brother, but I’d give my right arm to have Gillian say he’s proud of me just once.”
“Rowan,” she whispers and steps closer.
I meet her steps and take her hand, placing it on my heart. “I want…need to tell you everything.”
“Not all at once.” A tender laugh coats her words.
“I know.” I press her hand tight against my chest. “There’ll be times you’ll need to pull things out of me, but I’ll never lie to you. I’ll never intentionally withhold who I am and what’s in here again.” I lift her hand and splay it over my sternum. “I promise.”
Her eyes drop to her hand laid upon my heart.
“I know I hurt you and I don’t expect you to forget that. I don’t want you to. But if you’d let me, I’d like to earn back your trust.”
And hopefully your heart.For the briefest of moments, I’d held her heart. She’d offered it so openly in Michigan and hours later I nearly crushed it. It may take a lifetime to gain it back, but I’m willing to live that life. Because even if her heart slippedfrom my grasp, I know mine is securely in hers. Love at first sight is a myth used to sell romance novels. I know that. I’m not in love with Pen, but I knew from the first moment she smiled at me I was gone. Call it insta-lust or insta-connection. Whatever it is, there’s a charge between us that tethers me to her.
“Let’s start with a baklava croissant,” she says, her smiling eyes peer up at me.
“Okay.” I grin.
Fingers linked, I guide her to the table.
“Look who’s channeling their inner Austen-hero energy,” she teases, as I pull out her chair.
Smiling, I take the seat across from her. My forehead puckers at the flower arrangement. “Let me—” I scoop up the vase and move it to a table out of Pen’s field of vision.
“You didn’t need to do that.” An adorable pout covers her face. “They were pret—eep!” she squeaks, her eyes grow into giant saucers.
“Pen?”
“Rowan. Something is under the table and licked me.” Her whisper is slow and cautious.
“Oh.” I scrub my hand down my face, trying to hide my smile. “It’s GB.”
“What’s a GB?”
“My dog.”
“You have a dog?”
“He was sleeping under the table.”
GB sneaks out from beneath the table and immediately places his head on Pen’s lap. His big brown eyes look up at her, imploring for the stroke of her hand.
“Oh my god,” she coos, petting him. “He’s adorable.”
The black and brown boxer wiggles his butt. Contentment sighs across his muscular body with Pen’s slow strokes along his neck.
“You should have led with him. I would’ve said yes a lot sooner.”
“Note to self.” I chuckle. “GB.” I take my seat and whistle for GB to come.
Ignoring me, he nestles against Pen. Her delicate fingers stroke along his smooth fur. Jealousy vibrates in my chest. I can’t blame him. I’d be the same way if my head lay on Pen’s lap. Though, I can think of less innocent things to do if my head was on her lap.
I’d hike up that mint green sundress, spread her wide, and bury my face between her thighs. Like the starving man I am, I’d devour her until we were both sated. Although, I doubt I could get my fill of the sexy whimpers she makes just before coming.
