Page 65 of Cowboy SEAL Homecoming

“I’m trying to understand why this is so hard for you.”

“It’s not.”

She stared at him for the longest time, realizing that in a weird way, Alex needed the same thing she had for the past few years—to break away from the cage he’d probably unwittingly put around himself. Open up and reach out and try. But it would be hard, and he wasn’t quite at the moment yet.

But that was okay. Because she’d been there, and she could show him. “I’m going to break you, one way or another.”

“Break me?”

She straightened, more and more certain it was exactly what he needed. “Yup.” She took a few steps toward him, confident and sure. Emboldened. So damn happy and excited for the future it hurt. “I’m not backing down anymore. I’m not letting you pretend you’re fine when you’re not, or that you don’t have the hots for me when you do.”

“The hots?” he repeated as if he didn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Yes. I know you think you’re strong enough to deny this or resist it or endure it or whatever, but what you’re about to learn, Alex Maguire, is that strength is not about what you can endure. It isn’t about what you can accomplish when you have a mission to see through. It’s about wanting something and not being afraid of going after it. It’s about allowing yourself to admit you want something in the first place. That will be your biggest challenge. But don’t worry, I’ll be here to hold your hand.”

Then she moved up on her tiptoes and brushed her mouth across his bottom lip. “Good night, Alex,” she said before he could respond. And she walked back to the house, happier than she’d been in a long time.