Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
But he pulls back quickly, breaking our connection but keeping his arms around me. His breathing is ragged, matching mine. His blue eyes are darker now, filled with unmasked desire.
“I’m sorry…” he begins but then shakes his head. “No, I’m not sorry. I’m not sorry for kissing you. But I am sorry that I’ve been such an ass, Tabitha.”
“I don’t need your apologies,” I tell him earnestly. “I just need you to be honest with me. Do you want this? Us?”
He doesn’t reply again.
“Oh!” I curl my hands into fists. “You are the most exasperating man I’ve ever met!”
He tilts his head, and his eyes soften.
And I feel like shit. He’s still struggling after killing Ralph.
I need to be compassionate, not obstinate.
“Look, Henry,” I begin, my voice softer this time. “I understand you’re going through a lot right now, and that’s okay.” I step closer to him, reaching out to touch his arm. “But if there’s something between us—and I think there is—then we owe it to ourselves to explore it.”
He looks at me, his gaze both intense and hesitant. “I don’t know,” he says finally. “I mean, I want to, but…”
The vulnerability in his expression is almost too much for me to bear.
I lean up and kiss him gently on the cheek. His stubble pricks my lips, but I don’t mind. Then I rest my head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath the crisp fabric of his shirt.
“Just think about it,” I say as I pull away.
“I don’t need to think about it,” he says. “I had a kind of epiphany earlier. I’ve been an ass. I’ve been absorbed in my own issues, and I haven’t been thinking about how my actions have affected others.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. Others? He’s here talking to me. While I’m sure he cares about how he’s affected his family and friends, they’re not here right now.
I am.
“What does that mean, exactly?” I ask.
“I thought I was pretty clear.”
“Look.” I draw in a breath. “We all understand. You had a traumatic event. A life-changing event. But you’re still here. Your family is still here. You saved your sister and her fiancé. Husband now. We all understand, and no one is asking you to heal any more quickly than you can. But—”
He stops me with a gesture. “I shouldn’t have started something with you that I couldn’t finish. And even with what I’ve realized, I know I’m not ready for anything serious.”
I shrug nonchalantly. “Who said anything about serious?”
I hate the words as soon as they erupt like lava from my mouth. What the hell am I thinking?
I could so easily love this man. His sheer strength coupled with such sweet vulnerability.
Plus…he’s blond and blue-eyed and fucking gorgeous.
He’s the kind of man I always imagined myself ending up with.
And I’m offering myself up on a platter for more indecent quickies.
I deserve so much better. I deserve to be loved, cherished. Not just hit and then quit.
“I mean… I didn’t mean…” My cheeks are red hot. Why am I now the one floundering for words?
Henry quirks an eyebrow at me. “Not ready for anything serious, huh?”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
I’m not sure what I want.
Or maybe I am, but it scares the hell out of me.
“If that’s the case…” He inches closer, his eyelids heavy.
Though it takes every bit of willpower I have, I push him away. “Damn it. This is your sister’s day. We can’t.”
He looks stunned for a moment before his features soften into a smile, the kind that makes my heart lurch. “You’re right,” he agrees, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “This is Angie’s day.”
Relieved yet strangely disappointed, I back away from him, straightening my dress. “Thank you.”
He takes a step back, creating some much-needed distance between us. “I’ll see you at the reception?” he asks, his voice uncertain.
“Yeah,” I reply. “I’ll see you there.”
As Henry leaves the room, I take a moment to steady myself. The encounter has left me shaken, my heart pounding.
I spend the next few minutes alone in Henry’s room, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions spinning inside me. It’s not easy. One moment I’m angry at him for being so distant and moody, and the next I’m melting into his arms as—
I jerk as he strides back into the room and grabs me. “Fuck it all,” he says, before crushing his mouth to mine.
Thirty-Four
Henry
She responds immediately, winding her arms around my neck as our tongues tangle. I push her back against the wall, pressing my body to hers as the heat between us flares bright and hot.
I should hate myself.
I should hate myself for fucking a bridesmaid when I should be outside mingling at my sister’s wedding. I’m the best man, for God’s sake.
But I can’t bring myself to stop.