More Than Protect You (More Than Words #6.5) - Shayla Black Page 0,51
with tension.
Inside, she pulls her phone from her purse, checks it, then sets it aside. “I should do laundry.”
“Or we could brush up on your self-defense.”
“We could, but…” She draws in a deep breath. “Tanner, I told you I’d give us some thought, and I have. You’ve protected me even when you knew I couldn’t pay you right away. You listened to me. You didn’t judge me. You’ve supported me. You’ve been everything I wanted Barclay to be, only better. While we should maybe see to other responsibilities, and we can if that’s what you want, but I’d rather you kiss me again…and maybe not stop this time.”
Chapter Nine
My heart starts revving instantly. I swallow back my excitement enough to ask the right questions. “You have no idea how much I want to, baby. Are you sure?”
She crosses her arms over her chest. Through the nearby window, the sun slants in, lighting her blond hair with a halo and illuminating her skin with a glow. But she’s more than beautiful to me. It’s somehow sexy that, despite not having known her long, I know her truth—and the real her—probably better than anyone else.
“Are you worried I’m repeating my history or making the same mistake again?”
I don’t think so, but I want to make sure I understand. “What do you mean?”
“Well, here I am again, throwing myself at an older man who—”
“Stop there. First of all, you’re not throwing yourself at me; we’re talking together about the possibility of taking a forward step in our relationship, like adults. And that’s the second distinction. You’re an adult now. You understand what sex is and the ramifications of it. So to answer your question, no, I don’t think you’re making the same mistake again. I’m older than you, sure. But not old enough to be your father. And I’d never want to replace him in any way.”
“I wouldn’t want you to. My dad and I have always had a complicated relationship, and we have to work that out. But my brother telling you I need a ‘daddy’ is his oversimplification of my desire to have the kind of man in my life who will protect me.”
“I’ll do more than protect you, baby. Give me a little time, and I’m convinced that nothing will stop me from falling in love with you.”
She sends me a tremulous smile as tears tremble on her lashes. “Give me time, and I don’t think I’ll be able to stop myself from falling in love with you, either.”
Once I hear that, I can’t keep my hands off her anymore, so I wrap one palm around her nape. The other hand filters through the silken strands of her hair. “Does that mean you’ve thought more about us?”
She lays her hands on my shoulders and sways closer, nodding. “That’s why I told you to kiss me.”
“You also said not to stop. So that’s a yes?” I fuse my gaze to hers. “I want to be very clear.”
“I know, and that’s another reason I don’t think I can stop myself from falling in love. You’re honest and honorable. And you’re ridiculously hot.” She laughs at herself. “Even if we’re crazy for thinking we can build a future together after knowing each other for a couple of days, I don’t care. It feels right.”
“It does to me, too. So…we’re doing this?”
“This?” She raises a brow. “If you mean sex, hopefully that’s a given.”
I chuckle. “It is. But I meant life.”
“Let’s try. I just don’t know how good I’ll be at it. I’ve never tried to spend my life with anyone.”
“Hey, I have, and it didn’t end well.” I shrug. “Maybe I’ll suck at it again.”
“Or we’ll learn together.” She presses closer. “You always try to make me feel better. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”
“The person you spend your life with should.” I caress her cheek, my work-roughened palm skimming her skin. “But I have to be honest, Mandy. Life with me won’t be luxurious. I know you’re used to—”
“I’m used to everyone in my life with money assuming they can use it to bend me to their will, and I’m sick and tired of it. Whatever we have, we’ll earn together. That will mean far more to me than gold bathroom fixtures and trips to Paris.”
I love her outlook. “Are you saying the French are overrated?”
She grimaces. “Actually, Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and I’ll miss it. But I don’t need it