Page 6 of Proposition 2

There was no reason to question or analyze the way I felt for her. It wouldn’t have changed anything. I was raised to be decisive, and I decided Cadence was mine before she ever hit that stage. Once I had a taste, she lost all chance of getting away.

Her body softened under the onslaught and soon she was kissing me back, arms thrown around my neck to pull herself closer. Her passion was astounding and caused an answering flare of heat in my blood. I wanted more of it, but it wasn’t the time. I was going to have to woo her if I wanted to keep her.

And that meant giving her time to think. She had to decide it was her idea.

Ending the kiss, I released her jaw although I kept my other hand on her hip. She gasped for breath as she leaned against my chest, but I could tell when sense returned, and she started to pull away.

“We’re not through, but I’ll give you more time. I can’t promise how long.”

She let out a huff, straightening herself as she stepped back. I let her have the space.

“Why can’t you just let me go and move on to the next girl?”

Sighing, her head hung again as her shoulders slumped. I could see the fight draining from her and the exhaustion creeping in. She worked too hard and gave too much. She needed help but was too proud to ask for it.

“I can’t let you break me Leo. My family needs me.”

The sad look on her face when she looked up made my heart clench. My hands fisted at my sides with the effort it took not to invade her space again and kiss that look away.

“I won’t break you, and I’m not letting you go. You deserve more than life’s given you.”

Her snort stopped me, her brow quirking. The rain dripping off her nose lessened the effect she was going for, but I waited for what she was going to say.

“I don’t need a knight in shining armor to ride in and save me. You can’t fix my life. You can’t bring back my dad or make my mother better.”

I couldn’t fight the urge to go to her again. The space between us felt wrong, and I needed to feel her against me.

My fingers slid into her wet hair before she could react, arm clamped around her. Her gaze was as hungry as her expression was stubborn, and I couldn’t help feeling like I had made a small victory.

“Good thing I’m not a knight then. I may not be able to do those things, but I can make life easier for you.”

“I don’t want any more debts, Leo. I have enough to deal with. I’m not going to accept whatever proposition you have for me.”

Smiling down at her, a plan unfurled. One that would bring her to me, whether she liked it or not.

“Fine. I’ll let you make the next one. But not right now.”

Releasing her, I forced myself to back toward my car. I could see the confusion on her face and it only made my grin grow wider.

She was going to have a fit over what I planned to do, and she’d have no choice but to come to me.

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