Page 59 of Obligation
“No, it’s okay.” Bradley released her hand and raked his fingers through his hair. “I should never have said all that stuff. That wasn’t fair to you, and I’m sorry.”
He turned to leave, and she scurried to get in front of him, blocking his exit. She pressed her hand against his chest. “Stop,” she said, meeting and holding his gaze. “You got to say what you wanted, now it’s my turn.”
His eyes narrowed for a second; then he nodded for her to continue.
She licked her lips and swallowed the lump in her throat. “There is so much about mine and Danny’s relationship that no one knows. Not Tiffany. Not my brother. No one.” She shook her head to emphasize her point. “I know he doesn’t treat me like he should, and everyone things I should just walk away from him, but it’s not that easy.”
Her voice hitched with emotion, and she took a deep breath. She still kept her hand on Bradley’s chest. Partly because she didn’t want him to walk away again, but mostly because she really liked touching him.
“And I like you, Bradly. I do.” She took a step closer, even though she knew doing so was a dangerous move, but her body seemed to be operating on its own. “You were right last night. I didn’t fake my reaction to kissing you, and I really wasn’t faking anything this morning, either, but I meant what I’d said, too. No one has ever kissed me like that, and if you want total, brutal honesty… I haven’t been able to stop thinking about kissing you again.”
Her heart slammed against her ribs like a caged animal fighting for its freedom. She’d come this far; no reason to stop now. She needed to put all of her cards on the table so he knew where she stood with him, Danny, and her conflicting feelings for both of them.
“But I can’t.” She laughed bitterly. “As much as I want to, as badly as I want to just give in to whatever this…thingis between us, I know I can’t.”
“Why not?” he asked, his voice deep and raspy.
He covered her hand with his, flattening her palm firmly against his chest, and then he closed what little distance remained between them. Heat radiated from his body, and she instinctively leaned into him, savoring how warm and safe he was. His eyes were dark and intense, and her breath caught, but she still stood there, held captive by his mesmerizing gaze.
“We both obviously want this, so why not just do it?” he asked, his tone dripping with sexual promise.
“Because I don’t knowwhyI want this,” she whispered. “I don’t know if I want to kiss you because I like you and you’re really good at it, or if I’m using you to get back at Danny for cheating on me.”
The corner of Bradley’s mouth lifted in the sexiest, most sinful smirk she’d ever seen. “You have my permission to use me however you want.”
Carissa jaw dropped. He couldn’t be serious, could he?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Bradley’s heart raced with anticipation, and nervous energy filled his veins. He had no idea if Carissa would make a move or not, but if she did, he wouldn’t stop her. Nope—no making that mistake a second time. He’d learned his lesson.
With his free hand, he gently brushed a lock of hair away from her face, and then cupped her cheek in his palm. Her eyelashes fluttered, but she kept her gaze locked on him, and that had an unbearable spike of desire flame up inside of him. He grazed the pad of his thumb across her bottom lip, and she puckered, kissing his fingertip.
A throaty, needy groan tore free from somewhere deep in his chest, and before he could stop himself, he lowered his head, his mouth inching closer and closer to hers. But before their lips touched, she turned away and hung her head. He deflated, all the air escaping his lungs in a dizzying rush of breath.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, head bowed. “You can’t do this, Bradley. You’re not this guy, remember?”
He lifted her chin and tilted her head up so she was once again looking at him. “I told you last night that I’m willing to be this guy for you.”
She frowned, and the sheen of unshed tears glistened in her eyes. “Don’t.” She shook her head. “Don’t be this guy. Not for me. I’m not worth it.” Then, she stepped away from him, out of his reach, spun on her heel, and disappeared into the master bedroom.
Bradley clutched the kitchen island so tight his knuckles turned white, and he muttered a string of curses under his breath. He didn’t know if he should be pissed that Danny had completely destroyed Carissa’s confidence and self-worth, or if he should be upset that she’d pushed him away. Again. Both emotions battled for dominance, but no matter how long he stood there, he just couldn’t get upset with Carissa.
She obviously didn’t want to use him to get even with Danny, and Bradley respected her for that, but he couldn’t fathom giving up on her, either. Straightening, he blew out a slow, steady breath. He was nothing if not patient—a skill he’d developed over the years while learning the family business, namely the art of negotiating. Being able and willing to wait out an adversary was the single most effective tactic his father had taught him, and he was going to use that now, too.
He'd wait for Carissa, for however long she took to realize he wasn’t going anywhere. But she needed to know that.
With a new determination, he marched down the hall and stopped in front of the closed bedroom door. He lifted his hand to knock, but before he could, the door swung open. Carissa’s eyes widened, and she took a tiny step back, almost as if she couldn’t believe he was there.
“Bradley…” she whispered and moved closer. “What’re you… I mean… Um…” She licked her lips, and his gaze dropped to her mouth, then slowly drifted back up to meet her big, gorgeous brown eyes. “Did you need something?”
You.But he didn’t say that. He had to tread carefully so she wouldn’t retreat on him again. “One day, you’re going to realize how much you’re worth, and when that happens, you know where to find me.” He turned to leave, satisfied he’d made his point.
“Wait.” She grabbed his hand, stopping him. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Her voice was incredibly soft, almost shy. She dropped her hold on his hand.
“It means when you realize you can do better than Danny, I’ll be right here waiting for you.” He grazed the back of his hand down the side of her face, and she leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed.
He stood there, unspeaking, unmoving, and she did the same. He worried if he so much as took a breath, he’d shatter this moment. Not that he could explain what was happening, but he had this feeling something was shifting between them.
