A Moment Like You (The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers #2) - Claudia Burgoa Page 0,53

pulls her mouth from mine. “We can’t do this.”

“Soph, I know you want me as much as I want you,” I state because there’s no fucking way she would kiss the way she kisses me if she wasn’t attracted to me.

“I’m tired of being with the wrong guy. You’re…we’re not suited for each other. I enjoy your kisses, and I’ve no doubt that we could burn the sheets if we let this lust take over,” she says. “I can’t get involved with you. Sure, I could surrender and just give in to the pleasure that you offer. But what comes next? I’m too old for this. At this point, I want more than to be wanted. I have to know that the guy I’m with is willing to hand me his heart and won’t shatter mine because I’m no longer convenient.”

I brush some strands away from her hair and kiss her forehead. “At this point, I’ve no idea what I can promise you because I’m new at letting myself believe that there can be more than what was planned for my future. All I know is that you’re the only woman who makes me want that, and I not only want you but need you.”

I grab her hands and place them on the left side of my chest. “You want my heart? It’s yours, Soph. You’re the bright light that came into my life to push away the darkness. It’s because of that light that I’m learning how the real world works. But I have to warn you, I’m still new to this art of love so don’t be surprised if I screw up, because I’m bound to do something stupid. I just need…”

She holds my face with both hands. Her big brown eyes capture my gaze. They’re bright and filled with emotions.

“What do you need?” she asks.

“A chance for us to find who we can be, and you know, I could use a little love sometimes,” I answer resting my forehead on her shoulder and hugging her hard.

I surrender to whatever is happening between us. She owns me, even if she doesn’t realize that yet. I lift her, pressing her to me, like she’s my lifeline and the only person who can save me from what I just did, beg for a crumb of love. I feel as if I literally gave her my heart, lowered all my shields, and I’m vulnerable and ready to be slaughtered.

Twenty-One

Sophia

My heart breaks with his confession. He just needs a little love. It’s so easy to look at Henry for what he appears to be—a heartless hotel mogul. Not for who he is—a lonely man who has never had a loving family or a relationship forged out of friendship or love. He’s holding me tight as if he’s afraid to lose me, or he’s trying to absorb me so we could become one person.

And wouldn’t this be just perfect if it was real, but how can it be?

“Henry, we’re not meant for each other,” I mumble in his ear, as I anchor my legs around his waist. “This would be… I’m your assistant. That’s such a cliché.”

“Are you finding new reasons to tell me to fuck off?” His voice is so unlike him. It sounds pained, and it’s jarring.

“No, just trying to avoid the meat grinder,” I explain. “Because I can see myself falling for you, and then—”

“And then, we’d be two fools falling in love with each other,” he ends the sentence for me. “It’s a different kind of venture, but one we can overcome—together. You’re my right hand. Who could be a better fit than you, the only person in this world who truly understands me? I’m going blind into a merger where I can lose myself with you, my world. Yet, I plan on winning.”

“Leave it to you to see this as a business transaction.”

“No, I see it as reaching for the only important thing I’ve ever wanted in my life. Which wasn’t planned by anyone. It happened because I believe that you’re my miracle. The one person who can make me feel alive. Just give us a chance. We’ll take it slow.”

Slow is obviously a figure of speech because as soon as he finishes talking, he fits his perfect lips against my cheek. I’m back against the wall. His scruffed jaw scrapes my neck as he moves his mouth down my jaw. The heat in my body increases when he looks at me. His green eyes are dark, overtaken