Page 67 of Protected from Malice
“It wasn’t. I just paid to rent the space. And for all the food to be ready. And I asked Tyler and Webb to help. But that’s not much. Not considering what you deserve.”
“What do I deserve?”
He swallows hard. “Everything good, Eden. Not this shit you’ve been dealt. No one deserves it. Butdefinitelynot you.”
My heart skips a beat. “This is good, Rafe. You’re good.”
Pain flickers in his eyes, but he quickly hides it. “I’m not.” Then he takes a deep breath and lets it out in a rush. “Anyway.” His voice brightens. “Bowling. We’ve got the alley for three hours. Although you might not want to be away from work that long.”
“Work can wait.”
Anything that’s not Rafe can wait.
“I thought since it’s lunchtime, we could eat first.” He angles his chin towards the popcorn and pizza. “There’s a soda machine, too. And they told me there’s beer in the cooler, if you want some. I won’t, but that doesn’t mean?—”
“Rafe.”I grab his hands. “This is just… it’s perfect.”
Alarm flashes across his face. “Then why are you crying?”
“Am I?”
He releases one hand to cup my cheek; his thumb gently brushing across it. “You are.”
“They’re happy tears, then. Not sad.”
“So you’re happy?”
Even though potential rejection urges me to use caution, I find myself leaning forward. Rising up on my toes to get closer to him. “I am.”
“Eden.” The way he says it… It’s more than my name. It’s almost a prayer.
As we look at each other, everything around us seems to fade.
“I shouldn’t,” he murmurs. But still, he moves towards me.
And I towards him.
I can’t be wrong.
I can’t be.
His gaze burns into mine. “I didn’t bring you here with an ulterior motive. I wouldn’t. I just thought you’d enjoy it.”
“I know.” It’s hard to hear myself above the thundering of my heart. “And I do. I will. But…”
Do I dare?
Thirty-four-years-old, and I’m afraid to say what I want.
But it’s Rafe. And if I mess this up…
“Eden.” Rafe’s jaw works. His brow creases. It looks like he’s in a battle with himself.
“Dammit,” he mutters. “I shouldn’t.”
But.
He doesn’t let me go.
