Page 116 of Crazy In Love
“Because I can’t not go there,” I admitted. Because it was the damn truth. I’d been trying, and it wasn’t working. “I can’t stop thinking about you. So I’d rather try and fail than not try at all.”
My fear of hurting the people I cared about was real, and I knew it was safer not to go there.
Yet here I was.
“Well, you don’t make it sound very promising,” she said.
“I just want you to know what you’re getting into. I’m just being honest with you.”
“I know what I’m getting into, Bridger. And I’m still here,” she said, and I could see the fear in her eyes. She had every reason to be nervous. This would most likely blow up in both of our faces.
“Do you want to date me, angel?”
Her head tipped back with a laugh. “I mean, you’ve made it sound near impossible, but—” She shook her head, and I could see the hesitation.
“Tell me.”
“I like you, too, Bridger Chadwick. I like you a lot. It’s been hard since we’ve been back in Rosewood River, pretending that I don’t have feelings for you.”
“Yeah? I heard that Paris Guy really rocked your world.” I smirked. “And I also heard you went on a date last night, and that pissed me the hell off.”
“You can’t be pissed off when you said that we were done when we returned home. That was your call.” She gave me a pointed look. “But for the record, it was a horrible date.”
“Good. If we’re going to try this, then there is no dating other people. I don’t share, angel.”
“That rule works both ways.”
“Not a problem,” I said, pushing to stand, and then scooping her up into my arms. “I only want you. At least until you realize it’s a terrible idea.”
“Wow. You really make dating you sound so appealing,” she said, making no attempt to hide her sarcasm.
I carried her down the hall and set her down on my bed before leaning over her and placing one arm on each side of her, caging her in. “You’re the first woman to sleep in this bed.”
She chuckled, a wide grin spreading across her beautiful face. “You say it like it’s a badge of honor. But I’m still not having sex with you. Not tonight. Not until we talk about this when you’re sober.”
“I don’t care about that. I just want you in my bed, next to me,” I said, because I meant it.
Her eyes welled with emotion, and she nodded. “I need to borrow a T-shirt to sleep in.”
“You won’t sleep naked? I want to feel you against me.” I’d never craved a woman the way I craved Emilia Taylor. The way everything just felt better when she was near me.
She arched a brow. “T-shirt or the deal’s off.”
I moved to the dresser, pulled out a white cotton tee, and handed it to her, then slipped my jeans off, along with my sweater, and tossed them both on the chair. Her eyes widened asshe took me in, and I followed her line of sight down to the tent in my briefs.
“It’s yours if you want it,” I teased, and her cheeks flushed pink.
“Let’s see how you feel tomorrow.” She walked past me and went to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
I understood her reasons for being unsure about my intentions. Hell, I knew this was a mistake. I knew I’d fuck it up.
I climbed into bed, my buzz still there but definitely starting to wear off.
The bathroom door opened, and Emilia walked out in my shirt, which hung down to her knees. Her gaze locked with mine, and she hopped up on the bed and moved beneath the sheets. I turned to look at her, and my chest squeezed.
My fucking chest squeezed because Emilia Taylor was in my bed.
I’d asked her to stay, and she’d stayed.
