Page 43 of Wildflower and Whiskey
“I don’t say things I don’t mean, Elyna.” His hand brushed against mine on Braden’s tiny spine. His gaze held mine, steady and sure. “And I meant what I said last night too. About wanting you.”
Heat bloomed in my chest, twisting with panic. I looked down at Braden, who was already drifting back off to sleep on my shoulder. “It’s not that easy, Phoenix.”
He leaned closer, his forehead nearly brushing mine. “Maybe it is.”
My lips parted as words tangled on the tip of my tongue. He kissed me before I could get any out. The kiss was soft, lingering, a promise of more.
My heart stuttered.
When he pulled back, his hand cupped my cheek. “Let me try, Elyna. Don’t shut me out.”
I wanted to say no. I felt the strong need to protect myself, to protect Braden. But the words wouldn’t come. Not when my son sighed against my chest, content, and Phoenix looked at both of us like we were his whole world.
For the first time in years, I didn’t feel alone. And that scared me more than anything.
“I-I-”
He blinked and the look he gave me said something along the lines of he could read my reservations.
“It’s fine Elyna, I get it. . .” He began to stand.
“No, Phoenix, I don’t think you do. I’ve always been used to depending on myself, then I had Braden and he depends on me too. I won’t let him down. I can’t. His father. . .”
I couldn’t tell him about Riley, could I?
“What about his father? Is he still in the picture? Because I thought you weren’t together since you came back home,” he said, and I watched his whole body tense.
“It’s not that. We haven’t been together since I told him I was pregnant. He practically accused me of getting pregnant on purpose,” I hissed.
“That lowlife,” Phoenix barked and then he pinched his lips together. “I know Braden’s a baby, but he doesn’t need to hear bad things about his father.”
His words made my walls cave faster. Who was this man? He was thoughtful and caring. Maybe I’d known he’d been all those things all along and that’s what terrified me.
“I need to take things slow. I’ve made so many mistakes,” I confessed.
He didn’t look like he liked my answer, but he accepted it.
“I understand where you’re coming from, which is why I am going to prove to you this wasn’t a mistake,” Phoenix said.
My heart hurt because he was such a good man and I didn’t want to make his life difficult.
“You could never be a mistake,” I assured him.
At those words he softened. “I know what I need to do,” he said then he stood. “I have to get to work because I have a delivery to accept this morning.”
“Okay.”
Then he paused and watched me. “I’m not going anywhere, Elyna. I’m right here and I’m going to show you the kind of man I am.”
“I wasn’t trying to challenge that. I know you’re a good man. It’s me I don’t trust,” I admitted.
“I get it. I do,” he said as he finished getting dressed. “I need to go to my house to shower and change my clothes.” He leaned down and kissed me on the lips then caressed Braden’s head. “Will I be seeing you later?”
“I have a shift this afternoon. I have to get this dude over to daycare again,” I explained, feeling my emotions twisting.
“See you later.” He winked and the wink left my heart galloping because he was so hot and so sensitive and understanding. He was the whole package.
“See you.”
