Page 12 of Sin Bins and Second Chances
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Please say no.
Daisy rolls her eyes. “Ethan.”
“Answer the question.” I step closer. She throws her hands up between us as if she can stop me from advancing. I back her up to the counter and brace my hands on either side before leaning in close to her ear. “Tell me.”
She attempts to shove me away. “No,” she whispers.
I pull back slightly until our faces are barely an inch apart. Her eyes stay narrowed on mine.
When I was younger, she felt like forever. Daisy felt like the one. All this time, I feared she would be the one that got away. The one that occupied every spare moment and the reason I could never form a relationship with another woman. As if I’d messed it up by not being enough, because I thought she had found someone better.
She could fight me all she wanted, but I wouldn’t let her tear us apart again. I wouldn’t let it happen. She could hate me for pushing, but I can fix it. I can fix us. With time, I can mend everything if she will just fucking let me.
“Ethan,” my name slips from her lips like a whispered warning before her gaze flickers to my lips, then back up to my eyes.
Game. Fucking.Over.
My lips crash into hers, as if I can leave a permanent mark on them. Firm and nearly bruising. I don’t want to stop. I can’t. She’s my gravity, the center of the universe, my fucking oxygen.
Daisy stops fighting it and kisses me back with equal urgency. A rumble forms in my chest. It comes out of nowhere, like a growl. This primal urge to possess her takes over. I’m a man obsessed.
And just as sudden as it starts, it’s over. She pushes me away. All I can do is look down at her. Daisy covers her mouth and looks away.
“Look at me,” I whisper. She ignores me. “Daisy.”
The back door opens. “What’s going on?”
I ignore Andrew. My eyes staying focused on Daisy. She is all that matters at this moment, but she’s ignoring me. I take a couple of steps back, even though every part of me argues to remain where I was. I don’t want to be away from her.
“Nothing,” she answers him, then swiftly leaves the kitchen.
I need to follow her and not let her leave. Andrew’s hand on my shoulder had me pausing. “Still?”
I groan and step back. “I’m not going to let her go again.”
“Again?”
“Whatever made me not be enough before.” My eyes narrow on him and grind my teeth. “It was too easy for her to meet someone else, but he clearly isn’t around anymore.”
“Ethan.” Andrew starts and shakes his head. “We’re team mates and friends. Daisy is my cousin, though. I know the articles aren’t all true, but I hear how you are with women.”
“It’s not like that with her. It never was,” I argue.
“She’s not like the women I’ve seen you pictured with.” He steps forward. “I won’t let you hurt her.”
“That’s the last fucking thing I want.” I groan and run my hand through my hair. “Andrew, I fucking swear it isn’t like that. I can promise you.” I inhale deeply and let it out slow before continuing. “There’s something still there. If she’ll give me a chance, I’m taking it.”
I’m taking my chance. I won’t let her say no. Not that I’m going to tell Andrew. He wouldn’t understand. It’s as if somewhere in the deepestpart of me knows the truth. Everything clicks into place.
When you know, you know.
“What’s going on here?” Bennett enters the kitchen. His brow raised. I can tell he wants to step closer in case he needs to step between Andrew and I.
“I just need a minute.” I move to the back door.
As if a little fresh air is all I need to cool down. I know this property like the back of my hand. Daisy isn’t getting away from me again. Not now. Not ever.
Chapter Six
