Page 47 of Loving Lies (Granton University 3)

“The first time I saw you,” she whispered, “my stomach dropped into my knees and did a thousand somersaults, I swear.”

Choked by her confession, Jonah cupped the back of her head and kissed her hair. This had to be the sweetest moment he’d shared with anyone. He wanted to capture it and somehow keep it forever. Grazing his cheek down alongside hers, he drew in a breath, breathing her in.

“When did you realize I was boyfriend material?” he asked.

She dipped her face to kiss his throat. He made a sound of satisfaction deep in his throat.

“Probably the moment I first looked into your eyes. You have very expressive eyes.”

“Do I?” He closed them so she couldn’t see how profoundly that affected him.

“Mmm. Yes. I could see how much you needed to be loved and accepted.”

Since that was the utter truth, it hit a little too close to home. Pulling her close, he kissed the corner of her mouth and kept his eyes closed. “That sounds pretty altruistic of you. Didn’t you get anything out of it?”

He opened his lashes just in time to watch her smile. “Yes. I got to feel needed. And helpful. Being the only girl in my family, I was always so pampered and put on this stupid pedestal. Everyone treated me as if I was too fragile to touch. After my mom died, it was even worse. But with you…” Her fingers skated up his ribcage and over his heart. “I feel…I don’t know. Like I have a purpose. Like I’m needed, just me, and no one else. It feels powerful.”

“You are useful, Tess. And I do need you. Only you. You are so special; I don’t even know how to tell you. Just this week alone, you have helped bring me back from this dark place I thought I could never return from. You’re the kind of person who makes the world a better place.”

She blinked some mist from her eyes, and he touched her cheek to make sure it stayed dry.

“Wow,” she choked out. “I wasn’t fishing for compliments, but…thank you. Really. Thank you.”

“I wasn’t trying to compliment you. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.” He glanced away, fearing the future, fearing what would happen between them. And she must’ve read his expressive eyes because she hugged him.

“Jonah? What’s wrong?”

He lowered his face and rested his forehead on her shoulder. “Everything,” he whispered. “The future. Losing you. Everything.”

Had he mentioned everything?

“You are not going to lose me. I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me to leave.”

He lifted his face and took in the intensity in her expression. “But what if you learn I’m not worth staying for?”

Taking his face in her hands, she smiled. “Except I already know you are, so it’s a moot point. Remember, you’re the one who’s forgotten who you are. I haven’t. And I’m telling you, you’re definitely worth loving.”

Loving? His insides seized. Had she just admitted that she loved him? Or was she saying the potential was there? Did she expect him to say it back? Did he want to say it back?

“So are you,” he said instead, because it was true.

She smiled, her face lighting up. He knew he’d said the right thing, and he kissed her lightly. With her soft, warm hands running over his torso, he groaned out a sound and had to fist his hands not to do the same to her.

But then she had to go and pull back from his lips to ask, “Do you have any happy buttons?” which sent all kinds of fireworks through certain parts of his anatomy.

He arched his brow, and she rolled he

rs eyes. “Don’t be perverted; you know what I meant.”

Jonah grinned and kissed her jaw. “Hey, you started it.”

“No. I believe you started the whole happy button thing.”

“Oh, yeah. Damn, I’m brilliant.”

She gave a low laugh as her fingers trailed down his chest, lower than they’d been before. But still not quite low enough. He sucked in a breath as she stopped just above his waistband.

“What about here?” she asked. “I’ve found one or two bumps that might be considered buttons.”

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