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He came over to me, a different kind of tension building now. “It still matters?”
I tipped my head back so I could meet his gaze. No more running scared. “Yes. More than I want it to.”
He brushed his fingers down my cheek, and the simple touch made my knees weak. “Why?”
This was it. The moment that would decide things. Whatever was growing here, it was fragile, and unless I wanted to live with regret for the rest of my life, I had to overcome my fear and put it all out there.
“Because I’ve fallen for you, and it terrifies me, knowing that you have the power to crush me.”
One beat.
Two.
His mouth crashed into mine, the force of his kiss rocking me back on my heels. One hand at the small of my back kept me from falling, and the other cupped the back of my head, holding me to him even though I had no intention of going anywhere. I grabbed the front of his shirt, my relief even stronger than my pleasure. I hadn’t let myself know how scared I’d been that I’d never be with him again until this moment.
The need to breathe was what finally broke us apart, both panting and unwilling to let the other go.
“I don’t do well when I’m not in control,” he admitted.
I laughed. “I’m pretty sure I already figured that out.”
“Can we sit?”
We moved over to the couch in a strange sort of shuffle, his need to continue touching me seemingly as strong as my own. When I moved to sit next to him, he frowned and pulled me onto his lap. I leaned against him as he wrapped his arms around me, and it just felt…right.
“I put my family first,” he began. “I mean, I always have. Me taking over the business was never a question. It was expected. I never questioned what I was willing to sacrifice to succeed because I already knew it had to be everything. So, I did what had to be done. Studied. Worked. Didn’t make close friends or date. The business became my life. The only little slice I kept for myself was Euphoria, and that was as much a coping mechanism as anything else.”
“Because that’s where you’re in charge, in control,” I said softly.
On the outside, Davin looked like he had everything anyone could ever want, but he’d been just as lonely and isolated as I had been my whole life.
“Then, I met you.” He shifted the hand resting on my hip, and his thumb slipped under my shirt, found bare skin at my waist. “It was the first time I’d ever wanted anything for myself. I wanted more than just one night and more than just an understanding about sex. Every time I was with you, the wanting got stronger.”
I ran my fingers through his hair. “I know the feeling.”
He caught my hand and held it as his eyes caught mine. “I didn’t just fall for you, Linsey. I’m still falling. Every single minute.”
“Me too.” I brushed my lips across his. “You’re wrong, you know.”
He appeared to freeze again, waiting for the hurt. “Wrong about what?”
“That you’re not good at this.” I put my hand on his cheek. “You did just fine.”