Page 65 of Second Down Darling

I push him off me. “Look, I know I’m not a troll, but I’m not some bodacious blonde like Yvette or…” I don’t say Kota’s name. I’m sure he hears her name, though, because heflinches.

Turmoil wraps around me like a suffocating blanket until he reaches over and lifts me back onto hislap.

“Jake,I—”

“Shut up.” He wraps his strong arms around me and kisses my forehead. “I’m only gonna say this once, so I want you to listen. Charlotte Darling, there is no one else here tonight. Just you and me. I know we have a shit ton of baggage. I know we’ve fucked this up a million ways, but I want this. I want you.” He grabs my chin so I have to look him in the eye. “Do you want thetruth?”

I swallow past the thick knot in my throat. “Always.”

“When I first met you freshman year, when you were lying there on Mr. Romano’s desk, terrified to play Juliet, do you know what I thought?” He doesn’t wait for my response as he kisses me. “I thought you were the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen, and I wanted to ask youout.”

My eyes flood again. “But then I gave you my serial killer vibe and youreconsidered?”

He chuckles and rubs his nose against mine. “I didn’t think you were into me, so I wanted to respectthat.”

I sniffle. “So if I had just spoken up, flirted back instead of being an emotionally stunted weirdo, wewould’ve…?”

“You’re not emotionally stunted. You were young. We were both inexperienced, and in my case, just plaindumb.”

We both start smiling. I rake my fingers through his hair and kiss him slowly before I whisper, “I really liked you in high school. I’ve always liked you.” My heart pounds with the confession, and I brave a glance athim.

His eyes go soft in that dreamy way I love. “Not realizing that is my biggestregret.”

“And this thing between us… Is this more than just one night?” I try to keep my voice steady because I’m terrified of what he might say, but I’ve been around football players long enough to know not to assumeanything.

His head jerks back. “Of course it’s more than one night. In fact, the next time Billy hits on you in that playful way he thinks is so funny, tell him to fuck off. Tell him you’remine.”

You’remine.

A huge smile lifts my lips. “Yours,huh?”

“You’re wearing my jacket. That’s my name on your back. Pretty sure everyone should know what thatmeans.”

I’m speechless. Jake’s never been a possessive guy, but the way he growls out these words makes meshiver.

“I like beingyours.”

“Best thing I’ve heard all night, Charlie,” he whispers before he grazes his lips againstmine.

24

JAKE

Ikeep glancingat Charlotte as I drive down the dark road. Her hands fidget in her lap and her knee is bouncing a mile a minute. Is she wondering what will happen when we get hometoo?

Reaching over, I lace my fingers through hers, and the smile she gives me makes my heart beatharder.

I always thought that was crap fairy tales taught kids. Because how could a woman’s expression give me a physical reaction? In what world does a simple smile make the organ in my chest contract moreintensely?

Speaking of physical reactions, I’m still rock hard from making out in the woods, but I didn’t want to push things too far. Charlie probably needs me to take things slow. Get her comfortable. Help her trust me. After years of fucking things up, I want to do this at herspeed.

She’s been saving her virginity for someone special, and I want to be worthy of thatgift.

For now, I want to get her home and see whathappens.

What starts out as a few raindrops on my windshield turns into a torrential downpour as we reach ourneighborhood.

“This weather is crazy,” I mutter, slowing my car to take the last turn onto ourstreet.

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