beginning.
And now I know she wants me too, in the same way.
To be sure, though, I ask, “What about us just being friends? You told me you were scared of taking things any further. You wanted to protect your heart.”
“That’s true.” Becca reaches out, caressing the light stubble on my cheek. “I was scared, Lars, and I still am. But it’s not a choice I can make, not anymore. I can’t keep denying what’s really in my heart. Besides, I think I see now that maybe love is about being a little scared.”
I cock my head, leaning into her touch. “What are you afraid of? What’s been scaring you this whole time? I know it’s not me personally. Is it just the thought of getting hurt?”
She blows out a breath, dropping her hand to her side.
I immediately feel the loss.
Sighing, she says, “I’m scared of the unknown, and of things not working out. There’s more too, some fears I can’t define. I’m afraid of just so much.”
I reach over to where my jacket is hanging on the back of a chair and retrieve the candy heart from my pocket.
Placing it in her hand, I say, “Look, I can’t promise you everything will always be easy. I think anything worthwhile never is. But let’s give this a try. Just… let me…”
“Let you what, Lars?”
“Read my heart,” I say, meaning so much more than the heart I just handed to her.
But it’s the candy that she’s staring down at now.
“Love her,” she murmurs, reading the words out loud. Blinking up at me wide-eyed, she asks, “Do you?”
“Yes, Becca, I do. Somewhere along the line, I’ve fallen completely in love with you. It’s not just what’s written on the candy that’s true.” I tap my chest. “It’s what’s in here.”
“Oh, Lars…”
There are tears in her eyes as I whisper, “Will you let me, then?”
“Let you what?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” I laugh. “Let me love you.”
Will I Let Him Love Me?
Lars asks if I’ll let him love me.
Will I?
Can I?
Do I?
If I’m honest with myself, this is everything I’ve ever wanted.
Lars is everything I’ve ever wanted.
I’ve known it for a while, a long while.
Am I done denying it?
I sigh as he waits for my answer.
Lars is a good man, and he’s beautiful to look at. He’s also kind and generous. But he’s my friend first and foremost. There’s always been this major attraction with us, an amazing chemistry brewing just beneath the surface.
Do I now let it boil over?
Do I have a choice?
“No,” I say at last.
His face falls. “No?”
“Oh my God.” I rush into his arms, leaning my cheek to his chest as I murmur, “I didn’t mean ‘no’ to what you’re asking.”
He urges me back a few inches so he can see my face. “What are you saying exactly, then? I want us to be completely clear.”
I nod. “I agree. I do too. So I’m saying yes, I want you to love me. Do you want to know why?”
“Yes,” he says. “I’d like to know everything you’re thinking.”
I snicker. “Well, I can’t tell you everything, but I can tell you this—I love you.”
That sure leaves him speechless.
When he recovers from the shock, he asks incredulously, “You do?”
“Yes.” I start backing him toward the bed, and he puts up no resistance. “And I’m about to show you just how much,” I add silkily, promise in my tone.
The backs of his knees hit the edge of the heart-shaped mattress, and all I have to do is give a little push and Lars falls back onto the bed.
I crawl up his body, warning, “You’re at my mercy now.”
“Fuck yeah,” he grinds out. “There’s no place I’d rather be.”
“Good. Same here.”
I unbuckle his belt and start to get to work on his jeans, but then I realize we need to have a quick conversation about birth control and all that other fun stuff.
After we do, Lars says, “So we’re both clean and you’re already on the pill for other reasons.”
“Yes,” I affirm. “Now enough talking…”
I grab him again as I unbutton and unzip his jeans, tugging the denim material away.
Mmm, yes!
Once I have his jeans shimmied down his hips—with his help, of course—I place my hand over his boxer briefs to fully feel his massive erection.
When I give a little squeeze, Lars says roughly, “Damn it, woman. You better do more than that.”
“Oh, I plan to.” Coyly, I raise a brow. “Do you know how much I want this?”
“Tell me,” he demands.
“A lot.” I reach inside and