Page 29 of Wild Hearts

His concentration remains on the animated show. “Don’t care.”

“Well, good…” I mumble, confused and a little embarrassed. Although, he handled me vomiting multiple times, so a few hairy legs shouldn't deter him.

We veg out to cartoons until the channel switches to a football game. Wes turns to me with a brow raised. “Do you want to watch this?”

When I shake my head, he flips to a movie, and I laugh at his choice.

"Cars?"

He shrugs sheepishly. "It's a good movie."

Okay, that’s really sweet.

I tease him until the credits roll, and he tugs me further down the couch until I’m flat on my back, exposed for his tickling fingers. I playfully fight him off without success, my laughter ringing through the air.

Suddenly, Wes stops, poised over me, heat eclipsing the humor in his eyes. "I fucking love your laugh."

My breath hitches as I drag some much needed oxygen into my lungs. His body settles into mine, his hard cock nestling between my thighs perfectly.

“Wes... I need to know what this is. Before one of us runs off again."

Because it occurs to me that I've also given mixed signals. Jetting off after our first kiss. Scampering away after our impromptu ice cream date.

Wes isn't the only one to blame for our situation, but I also won't let it go much further without knowing what he's thinking.

What he's feeling.

He groans then collapses to the side of the couch, anchoring me to his body so I don't roll off the cushions.

“Damn if I know, Grace.”

That's not exactly the answer I was hoping for.

“What do you mean? It’s a simple question. Am I a casual hook-up or—” His hand covers my mouth to stop my nervous rambling.

“There's nothing casual about what I feel for you, and that's the problem.” He scrapes a hand over his beard with a sigh.

“I don't understand.”

“You’re too good for me. If you’re Jane, then I’m fucking Wickham—the no-good womanizer.”

His reference to Pride and Prejudice distracts me for a second. Did he go and read the book after our discussion? Because that would be incredibly endearing.

“Wes—”

“No, let me get this out. Please.” His thumb sweeps over my lips in a move reminiscent of the intimacy we shared at the ice cream shop. “I’ve never been interested in serious relationships. I enjoy being wild and free, answering to no one—especially a woman. My dad made that mistake. Married my mom but couldn’t change who he was, a man bent on being a rolling stone. Add in the fact that the only connection they had was physical, and it was a recipe for disaster.”

“That’s why this thing between us shouldn’t happen. There’s chemistry, obviously.” Wes plucks at my peaked nipple beneath his shirt. “But despite what the legend of heart sparks would have people believe, sparks eventually fizzle out to nothing but ash.”

Damn. My heart breaks for what he’s been through, but it shouldn’t keep us apart. I learned that lesson the hard way—living a stunted life because of my family’s issues.

“First of all, you are not your parents. If every child was forced to repeat their parents’ mistakes, then I’d be in a loveless marriage with four kids and struggling to make ends meet with the measly checks I get from disability. I understand the fear of ending up like your mom and dad, trust me. That worry has held me back for more years than I care to admit. It’s only recently that I’m finally breaking free from that toxic cycle, which is how I know you can do the same.”

I wiggle from underneath Wes’s arm to face him directly because he needs to hear this.

Hear it and believe it.

“There’s nothing wrong with being wild and free. I want that, too. But it doesn’t have to mean no strings attached. Why can’t we be free together? Free to be ourselves and accept each other without conditions? I’m not too good for you, Wes. I’m just a woman doing her best to live a life worth living, and I think you’re trying your best to do the same thing. Isn’t it worth the risk of finding out if our best lives include each other?”

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