Page 42 of Mountain Hero

Guilt spears through my chest. Not because of my idea—I think it might actually work—but for putting the pained look on his face. At his core, Enzo’s such a protector; so of course, my idea would bother him.

It doesn’t mean I’m giving up on it, even though the thought of facing Thomas scares the crap out of me. But it might be something I need to build up to instead of springing it on him all at once. Especially since I need Enzo and his friends to make it work.

“I’m sorry, too.” I trace the line of his jaw, feeling his muscles relax slightly beneath my touch. “Not about the idea, but just saying it like that. I know you’re used to being the one who protects everyone.”

He’s silent for a moment, his gaze going dark and intense. Finally, he says slowly, “I’m not worried about protecting everyone, Winter. I’m worried about you. Maybe it’s wrong of me to feel this way, but I’d do anything to keep you safe. And to imagine you out there, using yourself as bait?—”

“We don’t need to talk about it now.” Shifting on the couch, I turn and fold my legs so I can face him. “Maybe we can just… think about it for a little while.”

After another heavy exhale, his shoulders drop a bit. “Okay.” He captures both my hands in his. “I know I don’t have the right to make decisions like that for you. But—” He swallows hard. “I can’t bear the thought of you being hurt, Winter. Ever.”

“I know. I feel the same way.”

A moment passes as we look at each other, our gazes sharing things we’ve yet to say.

Like how I feel about him. How much I care already. How deeply I trust him.

And I think—hope—he feels the same way.

“Winter.”

“Enzo.”

He smiles. “You first.”

“No, you.”

There’s this tension between us—not an unpleasant one, but like we’re on the cusp of something important. For the first time since I met him, Enzo’s expression is uncertain. Fear flickers in his eyes.

“I don’t want to say the wrong thing,” he admits quietly. “I don’t want to mess things up between us.”

My heart jumps. “I don’t think you could.”

“We haven’t known each other that long. But…”

“It feels like we have.”

The fear in his eyes turns to cautious hope. “It does.”

As he looks at me, so handsome and unexpectedly vulnerable, I realize I’m the one who needs to take the next step. Enzo is so worried about hurting me, taking a step wrong, possibly triggering me—I need to reassure him he couldn’t.

“I know you won’t hurt me,” I blurt out. “And I trust you. Not just to keep me safe, although I do. But I think…” My chest goes tight. “I trust you with my heart, too.”

Enzo blinks. Twin spots of color ruddy his cheeks. “You do?”

“Yes.” Shoving down my nerves, I tell him the rest of it. “I feel something for you. More than just as friends.”

“Winter,” he breathes, his voice going rough. “Are you sure? After everything you’ve been through…”

“I’m sure. It’s different with you.”

But what if he doesn’t feel the same way? Will I have to stay here, humiliated after baring my feelings to him and being let down gently? Heart leaping into my throat, I ask, “Do you feel the same? Or did I make a mistake?”

His eyes turn a smoky blue. “You didn’t make a mistake.” One hand cups my cheek, big and warm and perfect, and I instinctively lean into it. “I do feel the same way. I just don’t want to rush you.”

“You’re not.” I lean forward, bracing my hands on his legs, everything inside me quivering in anticipation.

Enzo’s hand slides around to the back of my head, fingers tunneling through my hair. But he doesn’t urge me closer. He just waits.

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