Page 70 of Hard Rock Heat

He frowned. "What do you mean bythat?"

"It's stupid of me," I said, upset at myself for having done such a thing in the first place. "Everyone knows not to fall for Damon Drake. But like an idiot, Idid."

I went still, waiting for his reaction. The lights from street lamps flashed over his face, lighting up his green eyes. They werewide.

"You've fallen for me," he said. His fingers tightened on the steeringwheel.

I cringed, waiting for the inevitable fallout.

"Yes," Isaid.

"Fallen for me," he repeatedagain.

"Yes."

"Like…fallen for me,fallen forme?"

"Yes!" I said in a huff, getting annoyed. I'd known he'd react badly, but he didn't have to be such an idiot aboutit.

"Fallen for me, as in…?" He trailedoff.

"As in, I'm in love with you, you jackass," Isnapped.

There was pure silence, aside from my annoyed, heavy breathing. His grip on the wheelloosened.

"Wow." He spoke the words in ahush.

At least he wasn't freaking, or pulling over and immediately kicking me to thecurb.

"So that's it," I said, sneaking a glance at him. "That's why I needed space. That's why I freaked out. I have these feelings for you and they're scary and stupid and I hate myself for having them and I know nothing's going to change because you don't do relationships, but I don't want you thinking me pulling away had anything to do with something you didwrong."

I said the words in one huge breath. Instead of responding, a smile slowly spread across hisface.

"You love me," he mused. "Faith Briars has fallen in love withme."

"Don't sound so smug about it." I folded my arms over my chestprotectively.

I had no idea why I'd even decided to have this conversation. I should have just kept quiet. Was he getting off on this? Was it all just one big ego boost for him? Was I just one more hopelessly naive girl, one more in a long line ofothers?

"I don't know why you're so pleased with yourself." I didn't try to keep the snark from my voice. "I bet you've had a million girls fall in love withyou."

"Yeah," he shrugged. "But none of them wereyou."

All the air left my lungs. I blinkedrapidly.

Out of all the reactions I'd expected, this wasn't high on the list. Not only was he not freaking out, he seemed delighted at the knowledge that I'd developed deeper feelings forhim.

"I'm not going to say it back," he saidsuddenly.

"I never expected youto."

"Not because I don't feel something for you," he continued. "Because I do." He reached over the seat to take my hand in his. "I'm not going to say it back because when I do say it, I want it to meansomething."

I stared down at our hands, dumbly, not able to form a singleword.

"So I'm going to wait," he said decisively. "This shit is all new to me. I have no clue what the fuck I'mdoing."

"You've been doing pretty good so far," I saidweakly.