I pulled my torso back as best I could and kept my eyes glued to him.
“Is that an answer?” I asked.
He kept his eyes locked to me and asked back, “You gonna give me you?”
It was my turn to say, “What?”
“Babe, yesterday, you said your f**kwad ex crushed you. And I know this to be true because, for days, I watched you approach every situation between us with one hand up as if you’re wardin’ off a threat. When I do something you like, your face gentles because I’ve surprised you, you haven’t had shit like that from a man. You just walked up to me and slid your arms around me sweet. I’ve made you come for me and I’ve been inside you. You’ve shared gratitude. But, Gwen, that hand’s still up, wardin’ me off. You haven’t given me you, not even close. There is no way I’ve bested this situation.”
That was an answer it just wasn’t the answer.
“Okay, so say you best the situation.”
“I haven’t.”
“Say you do.”
“Gwen, I haven’t.”
“But say you do.”
“I do, then we’ll see how that plays out.”
Not a good answer. I knew how it played out. Scott Leighton taught me that.
I looked at his chest and muttered, “I need coffee now.”
“Gwen,” he called.
My arms slid from around his back so my hands could press against his chest.
His arms got tight. “Gwen.”
I pressed harder on his chest.
He shook me gently and ordered, “Gwen, give me your eyes.” I looked up at him and he asked, “You want false promises?” I didn’t answer so his face dipped closer. “Baby, I can’t tell the future.”
“I can,” I whispered and pushed hard on his chest.
I succeeded in gaining a few inches until he hauled me right back, his arms locking around me.
“There it is, Gwen, this is that hand you got up,” he said quietly.
“I need coffee, Hawk.”
I tilted my head down and pushed again at his chest but his hand came up, twisted in my hair and tugged back gently so I was looking at him.
“All right, babe,” he said, “there’s two ways this plays out. I best this situation and you give me all of you, honestly, I could find that’s not what I want and we both move on.”
I yanked my head back but he held firm and kept talking.
“Or,” he went on, “I find treasure and a man who finds treasure does everything he can to protect it and keep it close. I don’t know which way this is gonna go but I’m willin’ to ride it out and see. That’s not a risk I’ve taken in a long time, Gwen, that’s a risk I’ve avoided. But I’m takin’ that risk with you. You step away now, that tells me I’m not worth it to you to take that risk with me.”
I stilled my struggles and stared at him.
“You gonna step away?” he dared.
“I need to think,” I whispered.