Page 72 of Mistaken Intention

“You said that already. What you haven’t told me is why? Talk to me. Tell me why this has to be so complicated, when the simple fact is that I want you and you want me. Because you do want me, don’t you?”

“Yes.” There. I’ve said it.

He sighs and steps closer, his body pressed against mine again. Somehow, this is even more erotic, because his hands are by his sides. He’s holding me in place with my own will, and the fiery look in his eyes.

“Then why did you say we can’t do this?” he says. “Why did you run? What’s the problem?”

“I’m the problem.”

He frowns. The look is lost… and so am I. I turn and run for the stairs, bolting up them and into my room, slamming the door behind me. I’ve got nowhere else to go now, but how could I stay down there with him, when just the intensity of his gaze is enough for me to give myself away?

“Josie?” I clamp my hand over my mouth to stop myself from crying out. He knocks. “Josie… you’ve gotta stop running away from me. I’m not fit enough to keep up with you yet.”

He sounds breathless and I rush over, pulling the door open. He’s leaning against the doorframe, and stares down at me. “Are you okay, Drew? Your head’s not hurting?”

“No. Not in the way you mean. I’m just bewildered by what’s going on here, and I could use some answers. That’s all.” He tilts his head to the left. “Why do you think you’re the problem?”

“Because I am.”

“But why? I can see that me being your patient could be difficult. Not that I care. But you? You’re not the problem?”

“Yes, I am. Regardless of what you say or think.”

“Explain it to me, Josie.”

I shake my head and push the door closed… except I can’t. There’s something stopping me, and I open it again to find Drew’s hand pressed against the wooden surface.

“I know you think I’m weak, Josie, but I’m not that weak.”

“I never said you were. I said you were recovering.”

He glares down at me. “Either way, don’t shut your door on me.”

I swallow hard, biting on my bottom lip. His eyes fix on it, darkening, as he reaches out and frees it with his thumb.

“Y—You don’t play fair, Drew.”

“I don’t think I ever did.”

“Is that a memory?”Please say it is. Please say it’s all coming back to you and I’ll be saved from having to lie anymore.

“I don’t give a fuck what it is. I need to know why you think you’re the problem here, Josie. Because as far as I’m concerned, you’re the solution to every goddamn problem I’ve ever had, and the answer to every single question I’ve ever asked.”

Did he really just say that? “I—I am?”

“Yes. You’re the only ray of light in my life right now, and you just admitted you want me, so why are you denying us something that I think we both know could be magical? You know how much I want you… so what is it? Don’t you trust me?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then what’s stopping you? You think I’m not serious about this? You think I’m gonna make love to you and leave you, or something? Because I’ve gotta tell you, even if I felt inclined to leave you – which I don’t – I’ve got nowhere to go.”

“I know… and that’s not it.”

“Okay. So, if you trust me, and you don’t think I’m gonna leave you, and you want this as much as I do, why are youholding back?” I can’t answer him. I might have excellent reasons for saying ‘no’, but I want him just as much as he wants me, so how can I deny us this? “You’ve gone silent on me again,” he says, pulling me so tight against his body I can hardly breathe.

“Yes, because I don’t understand.”

“What’s not to understand? I need to be inside you, Josie.” I gasp, my body tingling, trembling at the thought. He must be able to feel my reaction, his eyes widening as he sucks in a breath. “I need to hear you scream my name when I make you come. I need to make you mine.”

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