clusters. My stomach is tight, and as much as I want to take him to that place, I’m not.
“We can talk here.” I turn to face him, leaning my hip against the railing. My arms are crossed so I don’t do anything foolish like reach out and touch him.
He puts a hand on the railing beside me, positioning his body so it’s in front of me. The wind blows his hair forward attractively around his temples, and his clean scent of leather and sandalwood touches my nose.
I blink away to keep from being distracted. “What do you want, Spencer?”
“Last night I had so many things to say, but now…” He looks out over the water, and I watch the line of muscle move in his jaw. “I’m not very good at this.”
Shifting my stance, I wait. I said all I had to say to him in the courtroom, and now the ball is in his court.
He blinks back to me, and his eyes are tight. “I’m sorry I left that way. I didn’t do it to hurt you.”
His words squeeze my chest, but it’s not enough. “You did hurt me.”
“I realize that now. I was thinking about the past, my past, and the things I had to handle, doors I had to close before…” As he speaks, his gaze falls to the water again. “I wasn’t thinking about you or how it must have seemed.”
He hesitates, sliding a hand to his hip, moving his jacket back, like he’s a model or something. My heart thumps in my chest, but I won’t help him with this.
Clearing his throat, he straightens. “You want something I’ve never done. I can’t promise I’ll be any good at it. I can’t promise I won’t fuck it up.” Hazel eyes lock on mine. “I can promise I’ll try.”
I blink, and a tear hits my cheek. His brow furrows, and he steps forward quickly to wipe it with his thumb. “I don’t want to make you cry.”
“Too late,” I hiccup, covering my mouth with my hand. My chest is twisting with heat and love, and I’m trying to be firm and push back on all the emotions he’s stirring inside me. “You’re a very frustrating man.”
“I know. I never cared before.” His voice is hoarse, and he slides a hand in his pocket. “I went to Rhode Island because I thought if I saw my dad, if I visited Drake’s grave, I might understand why.”
“Did you?”
“Not until I came back and saw you again. Sitting alone in that empty house last night, with only my things… I hated him. When he died, I sold everything he had so I’d never be like him, only I turned into something worse. He only hurt me. I hurt you.”
When his eyes meet mine, they’re more open than I’ve ever seen him. He almost seems lost, like he’s in a place he doesn’t understand. “I want to change for you, Sin. I want to be the man you deserve. Is it too late?”
Shaking my head, I rush into his arms. My face is pressed into his chest, and he holds me close. I hear him inhale deeply at the side of my head, and my heart swells so fast it hurts.
“It’s not too late.” My voice is a muffled whimper.
His arms loosen, and he slides his hands up my arms, holding my shoulders before cupping my cheeks and covering my mouth with his. Fresh tears fall, and I grip his sleeves as our lips part, as his tongue sweeps in and curls with mine.
Heat floods my lower body. It’s a possessive kiss, demanding as always. He’s claiming me, but I’m claiming him right back. I pull him to me, wanting everything he’s giving me.
Lifting his chin, his face is relaxed. He’s brighter as he exhales a chuckle. “What are you doing to me?”
Reaching up, I slide my hand across his cheek. “I’m going to make you so happy.”
Looking down into my face, his pretty eyes are so full of emotion. “You already have. You have no idea.”
Our lips collide once more, pulling and chasing, tasting and nipping. My body is on fire, and I want to rip his clothes off. Too bad, we’re in the middle of Fireside, where everybody knows everybody.
His lips move to the bridge of my nose. He kisses my forehead, then lifts my chin again, studying my face with so much love. “While I was in New Hampshire, I got you something.”
“Is it a surprise?”
“I have it