Page 49 of Edge of Desire

“Yeah.”

All this time the water was running all over us. I reached over and turned it off. He smiled and opened the door and then handed me a towel.

“Does this mean you want to wait until we’re in love?”

He stopped what he was doing and turned. His eyes pierced mine. Was it possible for someone’s eyes to reach into your heart and touch it, because I was pretty darn sure his just had? Let’s be honest. Everything about this man was extraordinary. He could hop around like a silly rabbit on one foot, and I’d say, “Oh, look at Preston, isn’t he just adorable?” I seemed to be in a constant state of arousal around the man as it was.

“Yes, Avery, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”

My heart skipped a thousand beats. Before Preston, no one had ever thought enough of me to say something like that. Before I could even stop myself, I heard the words gush from my mouth, “Do you think you could ever love me?”

“No, I don’t.”

My heart crashed to the floor.Why had I even asked him that? How stupid was that?

Before I could think of anything to say, he asked, “Do you know why?” he asked.

“Why?” I didn’t really want to know, so I’m not sure why that tiny word eked out of my mouth.

“Because I don’t think, I know I could love you.”

I whipped my head toward him so fast, because I wanted to be positive I didn’t mistake what I heard. “You could?”

“Without a doubt. I could love you with all my heart and soul.”

“Really? Me?”

“Yes, you and only you.”

I beamed and kissed him lightly on the lips.

“Then I guess we’ll have to work on that, won’t we?”

“I guess we will. But you’re a little late because I already am,” he answered, giving me a cheeky grin, as he pinched my butt.

“Ouch!” I yelled. “You better watch out, buster. Do you know why?”

“No, Avery, but I think you should tell me.”

“Because paybacks are hell.”

“Yes, they are. And I’m quite sure yours will be spectacular.” He wore the most charming smile.

I went to my room to put on some clothes. Preston could love me. Could I love him? I’d never loved anyone before. What did it feel like to love someone? Should I ask Justin? I never gave it much thought before because I never thought it would happen. I’d had such bad luck on the man plan that I had taken myself off it. Little Dickie was my last straw. After that horrible experience, I’d sworn off men. They were bad luck on all counts. But Preston put me back on track. I’d never felt about any man like I felt about him. He made me feel like ... well, I’m not exactly sure how he made me feel. All I knew was that if our little episode in the shower was any indication of what was to come, I was ready, willing, and certainly able. Just thinking about him got me all hot and bothered. Honestly, he turned my blood into a five-alarm fire.

Looking at the clock, I realized I’d been standing in my room, naked, for the last thirty minutes. I hit the closet and pulled out some jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt, slid on some flip-flops, and headed downstairs. When I reached the kitchen, Preston looked up from his task of chopping vegetables and grinned. I smiled back, but he kept on smiling.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing at all.”

“Yes, there is. Do I have something stuck in my teeth? Broccoli, black pepper? What’s up?”

“Okay, it’s your hair. Did you brush it after your shower?”

Thinking back, I realized I hadn’t. My hand flew to my hair, and it was a tangled mess of mostly dried fuzz.

“Good grief, I bet I look like there’s a nest of squirrels livin’ in here.”

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