of those works, but in the end, not even the artist had a clue what he was doing.”
“Glad you agree with me on that. I was scared we’d start a discussion about this.”
Rooney scrunched her nose and shook her head. “Abstract isn’t my world. I love spending hours on a painting and perfecting every little detail there is. It’s what makes me happy. To know that I have created something so…unique.”
I squeezed her thigh and brushed along it with my thumb as her hand fisted at the back of my head.
“You’re passionate about it. That’s what’s most important.”
And if we didn’t stop touching each other soon, I would show her just how passionate I could be with her.
Fuck.
Chapter Ten
Rooney
We talked late into the night and since we were getting closer to each other anyway, I found myself with my head in his lap and his hand brushing through my hair while he looked down at me with caring eyes.
I liked being this close to him, yet I knew I would say no if he’d ask me to stay over for the night.
I wasn’t ready yet, and all those thoughts running through my mind were messing with me.
We hadn’t talked for a few minutes, only looking into each other’s eyes and trying to figure out what was happening between us.
We hadn’t known each other for too long, and the biggest question I had was if things were moving too fast.
Especially because I promised myself to not focus on anything related to men or feelings.
But how could I not when it came to Wells?
He was slowly sneaking into my heart, and I hoped I wouldn’t regret it sooner or later.
Not because of him, but because of the exact thing I asked him about earlier.
If my heart wanted something, then why on Earth would I ever keep that thing from it?
Why would I let myself suffer?
But what if I was wrong?
“Tired?” he asked, his fingers curling around my hair.
“A little,” I replied.
“Maybe it’s time for us to go to bed.”
I puckered my lips. “Are you kicking me out?”
“Not unless you wanna stay here,” he said.
There it was.
The sentence I knew would be said.
I thought about it, even if I had my answer already locked in and ready.
But before answering, I sat up and turned to look at him. “Do you want me to stay?” I asked.
Maybe hearing his opinion on it would change my mind about my rejection.
He studied me for a while, then cupped my cheek with one hand and smiled. “It’s you who’s having trouble figuring out where we stand, Rooney. If it were up to me, I’d keep you with me tonight. But it’s your decision.”
Well, shit.
I lowered my gaze and reached out to grab his shirt in my hand, and after taking in a deep breath, I looked back up into his eyes.
“Another time. I think I have to get my thoughts straight first.”
I was being honest, which was what I needed to be if I wanted to be able to open up more.
Showing and talking about my feelings had never been easy, and Wells knew that after I told him what happened between AJ and me.
That’s why he wasn’t hurt when I answered him.
He accepted it because he knew I was being honest.
“Another time,” he repeated with a gentle smile.
I nodded and got up from the couch while he did the same, and with our fingers intertwined, we walked down the hallway to the front door.
“Tonight was great. Thank you for coming,” he told me, still keeping my hand in his.
I smiled up at him. “Thank you for letting me come over.”
“Anytime. I know you need a little time, but how about we go eat breakfast together with Ira tomorrow morning?”
Sounded like a nice idea.
“I’d love to.”
“Perfect. I’ll see you in the morning,” he said, his voice low and raspy.
Once the door was open, he leaned in and placed a kiss to my cheek, close to the corner of my mouth.
“Goodnight, Rooney,” he whispered, sending shivers down my spine.
“Goodnight, Wells,” I whispered back.
My cheeks were heating up, and when he moved back again to let me pass him, I kept my head low to not let him see what kind of effect he had on me by doing the simplest things.
My heart was beating fast, but like always, my brain was trying to shut down any possible feeling building inside of me.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” he told me as I started to walk up the stairs.