Page 33 of Crow's Haven
Her eyes glisten with unshed tears that she’s fighting to hold back. “I wish I could believe that. But you can’t tell me there’s nothing between you and the club girls. Not after hearing it from the horse’s mouth. I’m not naive.”
I lean back slowly, running a hand over my face, taking a deep breath before meeting her eyes again. “I won’t lie to you,Ladybug. I’m no saint. I’ve got a past. Roxy and I have history, but it was not serious or long-term.”
She watches me, cautiously. But since she’s still listening, I keep going.
“I haven’t been with anyone since you moved in. Not once.” I hold her gaze deliberately, letting that sink in. “You’re not a club girl. You’re not a placeholder. And if I’ve done anything that made you think otherwise, that’s on me, and I’ll fix it.”
She shakes her head slightly, looking away, biting the corner of her lip. “Crow, you hired me to take care of your kids and house. I was fine with that until you wanted to try for a relationship. I can’t just be the convenient woman who cooks your dinner and tucks in your boys while you handle your other needs elsewhere.”
“That’s not what I want,” I say fiercely. “Jesus, is that what you think?”
“Because that’s exactly what Roxy told me you do. She was pretty convincing.”
“To hell with what some club girl has to say. I’m telling you, no brother would choose a club girl over a real relationship.”
I don’t know what to think,” she whispers, her voice strained. “All I know is that I care too much already to let myself be used like that. And if what you need is someone who is easy, uncomplicated, and never asks questions, then I can’t do this.”
I move closer and sit beside her on the sofa. I’m careful not to crowd her, but I need her to feel the truth in my words.“Listen to me, darlin’, that’s not what you are. It’s not what you’ve ever been. You’re one of the best things in my life.”
She hesitates, conflicted, looking away again. When her eyes come back to me, they’re softer, sadder. “Then you need to figure out what that really means, Crow. Because I’m scared. I’m terrified of giving everything, only to find out that everything wasn’t enough.”
My chest tightens painfully, my own fears mirroring hers in ways I don’t realize. “Then let me prove it. Let me show you I’m serious.”
“How?” she asks softly, vulnerability cracking her voice.
“By doing exactly what you need,” I say firmly, not breaking eye contact. “By respecting your boundaries. But don’t shut me out.”
She exhales slowly, visibly softening. “I didn’t want to shut you out, but I needed space to think.”
“Next time, just talk to me,” I murmur. “Because feeling you pull away like that fucking hurts.”
Her eyes widen at my honesty, and something shifts between us, softer, deeper. “Okay,” she whispers finally, her voice barely audible. “I promise.”
I nod slowly, tension easing from my shoulders. This is a start in the right direction. “Thank you,” I say quietly, “for being honest.”
She gives me a cautious smile. It’s fragile, hopeful, uncertain, and the sweetest smile I’ve ever gotten from a woman. “Thank you for hearing me.”
And just like that, we’re back on the right track. Sure, it’s uncertain territory but at least, we’re on common ground.
We sit in silence for a long moment, neither of us moving. My pulse hammers through my veins. Our conversation still hangs heavy in the air between us. Sharon’s eyes are fixed on her hands resting in her lap, fingers twisting nervously together.
Slowly, I shift closer, careful not to startle her. She doesn’t pull away. Just lifts her gaze to mine, uncertainty and hope swirling in the depths of her eyes.
“You believe me, right?” My voice is low and rougher than I mean to be. “That you’re not just convenient. You’re irreplaceable to me and my boys.” It’s important to me that she understands this.
Her eyes shimmer with emotion. “I want to believe. More than anything. I truly do.”
And just like that, the ache in my chest gets a little smaller.
I reach out without thinking, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. When my fingers barely graze her cheek, warmth blooms beneath my fingertips.
Her lips part, her breath catches, and her eyes are locked on mine. When she leans slightly, I take this small opening she’s giving me and lean in, closing the distance between us. Our faces hover inches apart, breath mingling softly.
Instead of stopping me, her eyes flutter closed, and her breath hitches as my lips brush softly against hers.
And when I kiss her, it’s like I’m stepping over a line, taking our relationship to the next level. Her lips are velvet against mine.
At first, I’m gentle, because I know better than to unleash the world of pent-up need I’ve kept carefully under wraps. But her eager response lights a fire to my chest. I kiss her again, lingering this time, tasting the quiet sigh she exhales against my mouth.
