Page 370 of Breaking the Rules
He nods. "Thoroughly."
I suck a breath through my teeth. That sounds good. But it… I… "And?"
"You were right. You're sharp as hell. You're certainly smarter than I am."
"Obviously."
His lips curl into a half-smile. "You know what you need."
I nod.
"I'm not used to that. I'm not used to people who really do know best. Fuck, Em… I can't remember a time when I had my best interests at heart. When I knew enough about who I was to know if I was good for someone."
"You… your brother really hates you."
"Yeah. He will for a long time. I deserve that. I'm the one who fucked that up. I was an asshole for years. I still am sometimes."
"Yeah. A lot."
He chuckles. "I'm getting there. I'm trying. But, fuck, it's hard seeing myself as this guy who deserves to be in your life."
I swallow hard.
"I want to believe I'm making your life better."
"You are."
"I know. I get it, intellectually, but it's hard to feel it." His voice drops. "I'm getting there. Learning how to see things as they are. But it's hard. It's going to take me awhile."
"Okay."
"If you don't want a damaged guy—"
"I would have kicked you to the curb a long time ago."
His lips curl into a smile. "I got you something."
"Yeah?"
"Close your eyes."
I study his expression, but it doesn't give me a clue to his intentions.
I'm not sure where he's going.
Only that I want to find out.
I close my eyes.
He unpeels my fingers from my coffee cup and sets it on the counter.
He takes my hand. Brings it to his stomach. The soft fabric of his shirt.
Something slick underneath it.
Plastic wrap stretched over muscle.
I don't wait for instructions.
