Page 72 of Inviting Trouble
“Then why’d you leave?”
“I had to.”
“No, you didn’t.”
Knowing how painful his departure had been on her, seeing even now the pain in her eyes, he leaned down and kissed her gently. At the soft touch of her lips, desire shot through him and he deepened the kiss, reveling in her softness, her heat, her taste, reveling in the affirmation of life. He rested his forehead on hers. “I didn’t know what to do with the attraction I felt for you. I couldn’t chance ruining things with the family who took me in. And I knew we were both too young.”
“You mean I was your type even back then?”
He kissed her. “You are the only type. Why do you think I always went out with petite girls? They reminded me of you.” He smiled at the look of shock on her face. “And now I realize I’ve been waiting my whole life for us to be ready for each other.”
She gazed into his eyes. “I love you, Park, I always have.”
He brushed his thumb across her lips. “I love you too. But it changed, it’s deeper now, real and raw.”
“I like real and raw.” A note of sexy temptress was in her voice, and as much as he wanted to go there, now was not the time.
He carefully shifted her off his lap. “Buckle up. I’m getting you checked out at the emergency room.” He started the car.
“Seriously?” she asked, clicking her seatbelt. “This is nothing.”
He pulled out of the lot. “Then it’ll be a quick visit.”
She was silent.
He glanced over to find her looking irritated. “Only because I love you so much.”
“Park,” she said softly, actually blushing. Mad was not a blusher.
This could be to his advantage.
~ ~ ~
By the time Mad got home, all checked out and perfectly fine, she couldn’t wait to be with Park. He’d shared so much with her, stuff she’d never known, and now all his restraint where she was concerned made perfect sense. She held the knowledge close to her heart, amazed that it had always been her for him. Just like it had always been Park for her.
“Wait for me on the sofa,” Park ordered before heading upstairs. She figured he was checking if her dad was home. He returned a few minutes later and joined her. “He’s sleeping.”
“Good.”
He grabbed her suddenly, surprising her, and hauled her into his lap. He burrowed his nose in her hair and then kissed her temple.
She looked up at him. “I had no idea you were such a cuddler.”
He stroked her cheek. “I’m just so glad you’re alive. I love you so damn much.”
“Park.” She felt her cheeks heat. There was something so intensely intimate when he expressed his feelings. After not knowing for so long where she stood, well, it was almost an embarrassment of lovey-dovey mushy stuff. “I love you too.”
He gazed deep into her eyes like he was looking into her soul. She felt breathless. He smiled. “I love that look in your eyes like you worship me. It’s a good look for you.”
“I can’t believe I was your type all this time!” she blurted. “I thought I wasn’t pretty enough or girly—”
“You’re more than pretty.” He kissed her nose. “And it’s all natural, inside-out beautiful.”
Her cheeks burned with all the mushy stuff coming her way. “When did you get so poetic?”
He brushed his thumb across her lower lip. “When I realized just how much I love you.”
Her eyes got hot with tears. Her cheeks were still hot too.
