Page 80 of The Relationship Clause

“Well, after that, my dad sort of changed. I think, looking back on it now, he became bitter. He moved us from place to place, job to job, never letting us stay in one spot long enough to grow roots. He would say, ‘It’s better to leave people before they leave you.’”

I nod again to let her know I’m here. I’m listening.

“For a long time, I told myself he was happier that way, that’s how he wanted to live his life. And I followed the same pattern. All the boyfriends and jobs I’ve had were because I was too afraid to test what my dad had said. I told myself I was happy that way too, but now, I’m not so sure. I never wanted to become like my dad, but I did. I’ve been so afraid of hurting you… No, I guess that’s not completely honest. I’ve been afraid of getting hurt. Afraid that my dad was right. I’ve been wanting to tell you this for a while, but I didn’t know how.”

Everything she’s told me, all of our interactions, suddenly make more sense. Seeing things in this light, I completely understand her hesitancy. A whole new appreciation for her opens up.

I reach up, sweeping my fingers against her skin, moving the tendrils of hair that fell out of her twist away from her neck. She shivers against me.

“Thank you for sharing that with me,” I whisper. My words skate over her neck, bringing a whole new set of goosebumps to the surface. “I’m sorry about your parents. I hope you know… I mean, what I want to say is, I have no intention of hurting or leaving you.”

Her breath catches in her throat.

“Maybe it’s too soon to say that,” I hurry to say, refusing to succumb to regret or embarrassment. “I know we’ve barely started this thing between us, and it’s okay if you’re not ready for the same level of commitment that I am. But I need you to know where my head is at.”

Carefully, I remove my arms from around her and cup her cheeks in my hands, tilting her face up until she’s looking at me. Her eyes are warm and hopeful and hold none of the fear or anxiety I thought there might be.

“I think you’re an incredible person, Juniper. I know you’re afraid you’ll run away, and I know you’re equally afraid I’ll leave you. But, if you let me try, I want to give you something to stick around for.”

My lips meet hers with an electrifying intensity. Despite the freezing temperature, warmth fills my body, lighting me up from the inside out. All my nerve endings that are in contact with her skin feel like they’re crying out for more of her touch.

She responds in kind. There’s the slightest pressure against my mouth, like she’s struggling to hold herself back this time. Like this kiss is somehow different than the others we’ve shared. And it is. Because this kiss says more. It means more. It’s a promise.

When we break away from each other, we lean our foreheads together. My breathing is ragged and rough. Junie’s lips graze my neck, and it’s all I can do to hold back from acting on my less-than-gentlemanly desires.

“I’m going to give you something to stick around for, Juniper,” I breathe. “You can count on me. You’ll see.”

“I—I believe you. And…” She pauses, as if carefully considering her next words. “I want you to be able to count on me too. Also, um, I have another confession to make.”

I squeeze her against me, ready for anything. “What’s that?”

“Um, if I don’t get inside where it’s warm, I think my feet might break off of my ankles at any minute.”

I jump. Of course. How could I be so stupid? She must be freezing out here even with my coat on. With one fluid motion, I sweep her off her feet. She cuddles against my chest, teeth chattering, making me feel worse.

“Come on, let’s get you near a fire.”

I carry her the whole way back to the lodge where I find a roaring fire in the large common area and set her down on the stone mantle. I sit behind her, warming her from behind while the fire warms her from the front. She sighs in relief, and soon, her teeth stop chattering.

“Well,” she says, after about ten minutes, “I think we both know what needs to happen next.”

“I whisk you away to our suite where we can keep kissing in private?”

Pink colors her cheeks. “No, although that would be nice. What happens next is you still need to track Craig down and interrogate him before he gets too drunk to be coherent.”

I groan, having almost, almost, forgotten about that, and I trail my fingers down her neck. “Do I have to go back there?”

“Only if you want to save your company.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. My company is still somewhat important.”

She nudges me playfully. “Somewhat.”

I chuckle and stand, pulling Junie to her feet as well. “Do you want me to walk you back to our room?”

“I have a feeling if you did that, you might not come back down.”

I kind of like the sound of that. “Fine. At least let me walk you to the elevator.”

---