you’re only drawn to me out of guilt.”
“Sweetheart, I could never forget you,” I assure her while pushing a lock of her beautiful red hair behind her shoulder. “And yes, I feel guilty about that night, and I always will. I won’t ever stop trying to make it up to you.”
“We had just met and were complete strangers. You didn’t owe me anything.”
“I beg to differ,” I reply.
“And I was engaged. I told you I was leaving to call my fiancé, the man I was supposed to marry in two weeks. So when you took someone else home, you didn’t do anything wrong, Verek.”
“I wish you had come home with me,” I tell her truthfully. “But then I know that would’ve ruined everything for you too. So I can’t help but think I should’ve turned you down when you asked me to dance. If I had refused, you would’ve gone on with your life as planned, gotten married, maybe be working on having a kid by now with Paul.”
“If you had turned me down, I may have gotten married, but I don’t think I would’ve been happy. The way I see it, you did me a favor.”
“A favor?” I repeat with a scoff. “Sweetheart, please. I came on way too strong, even after I knew you were engaged. Everything that happened, it was my fault. I just wish there was some way to make it up to you.”
“You really want to make it up to me?” she asks.
“More than anything,” I tell her, knowing I’m asking the impossible.
“Then take me home with you tonight, to your place,” Tessa says, making my entire body, heart, and soul freeze right there in the middle of the dance floor.
“What?” I ask in shock.
“Take me home. I want us to finally do what I wanted that night, before I walked out.”
“Are you sure, sweetheart? We don’t have to rush…” I start to say before Tessa presses her fingertips to my lips.
“We’re not rushing. We’ve waited eight months for this moment. I’m ready, Verek. Please?”
It’s the “please” that does me in. She could ask me for anything, and I would gladly give it to her. And this particular request? Hell, she’s right. I’ve wanted her for eight long, torturous months, more than anything.
Tessa
* * *
Being back in the club with Verek was easier than I expected. It’s really been cathartic because the memories it brings back are the ones of dancing with him after we first met, and fortunately nothing else. Which is why I want to take that last step with Verek, finally. He’s been so patient, and I know he would keep waiting, no matter how much longer I asked him to wait. But I don’t want to wait any longer.
“Verek?” I say when he doesn’t respond.
His response is wordless. He hugs me so tightly that my feet lift momentarily off the floor, making me laugh before he puts me down. Then, he takes my hand to lead me downstairs. He’s as excited as I am. Or at least I was excited before it hits me how much pressure is on this moment. It’ll be our first time. What if it’s awful?
No, that’s impossible. Just kissing Verek is off-the-charts hotter than Hades.
But what if it’s not good for him? His record of conquests is a mile long while mine is so short. What if he’s been waiting and waiting, and then when it’s over, he doesn’t want to touch me again because he’s disappointed?
I’ve always thought I only kept Verek’s interest for this long because I didn’t sleep with him. After I do, what happens then? Will things stay the same between us, or will he finally move on?
God, what am I thinking?
Where are all these negative thoughts coming from?
Verek deserves more credit than that. He loves me, even if he’s never said the words. I can tell. He’s not going to walk away from me afterward because he cares about me too much. He knows how important this step is for me.
We’re downstairs standing next to his bike before I can even blink. I look behind us, and not even Lucas or Jake were able to keep up.
“I know it’s cold, but do you think you can stand it for just a few minutes? My town house is less than a mile away. We’ll be even colder if we have to wait out here for the prospects to get the SUV from wherever the hell they parked.”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” I agree.
Verek