Page 55 of Into the Woods

Her lips formed a tremulous smile. “Yeah, Court. That works for me.” She hesitated and then added, “Thank you.”

I drew to a stop at a red light and turned to give her my full attention, watching the way shadow and light played off the angles of her face. God, she was so beautiful that it hurt to look at her.

I’d done a lot in my life—played Division 1 college football and created an empire with my friends and brothers. I was on the verge of graduating from an elite college with a degree in pre-law. I’d already been accepted into Stanford Law for the fall semester. I could actually say that I’d helped save people’s lives.

And yet, none of it mattered unless Becca was looking at me the way she was now—a small smile, her eyes soft and pleased.

I’d give it all up for her, and that scared the shit out of me.

Linc and Ash had frequently given Ryan hell when he’d fallen for Maddie. They’d pushed him and teased him, encouraged him to work for her. I’d never really joined in, mostly because I’d understood how he felt. I knew what it was like to desperately want to be good enough for the girl next to you but know you’d never measure up to what she truly deserved.

No, I’d never deserve Rebecca Whittier. In fact, I was done even trying to earn the right to be at her side.

The one good lesson I’d learned from my father was that if you really wanted something, you had to take it. Damn the fallout. Fuck the consequences.

I wanted Becca.

Now.

Tomorrow.

Forever.

And starting tonight, that’s the way it would be.

Even if that meant doing grown-up shit, like talking about secrets I wished could stay buried. Truths I knew would break her heart.

Then again, maybe if I did it just right, I’d break her heart open in the perfect place that would let me finally slip in and claim it as mine.

I bypassed the valet stand at the front of the hotel and opted for street parking. Once I killed the ignition, I turned to her. “Wait for me to open your door.”

Her lips quirked up at the ends. “Is this your attempt at chivalry?”

Resting an arm along the back of her seat, I leaned in close enough to hear her breath hitch. “No, sweetheart. It’s me needing to make sure there isn’t someone I need to shoot first.”

She gulped down a breath and gave me a shaky nod. “Okay. I’ll stay here.”

Huh. Was it really that easy?

I slipped out of the car and walked to her side, my gaze moving around the mostly empty city block. I’d intentionally parked on a street that was off main roads and away from touristy hubs and popular restaurants like the one she’d been at tonight.

While I didn’t think anyone knew we were in town, I wouldn’t risk her life on it.

“All good,” I finally told her, holding out a hand. When she didn’t hesitate to wrap her fingers around mine, I was barely able to hide my smile. I reached into the back and pulled out her stuff, stacking the duffel on the suitcase to wheel with one hand while I reclaimed hers with my other.

“I’m sorry.” She spoke so quietly that I almost missed it.

I turned, one eyebrow lifting. “What?”

She looked up at me, the streetlamps catching the golden flecks in her eyes. “I said, I’m sorry.”

“What could you have to be sorry about?”

She gave a tiny shrug. “Complicating your life?”

I stopped us by one of the side entrances that opened into a courtyard with seating and smoking areas for hotel guests. “Don’t ever apologize for being in my life,” I told her, dead fucking serious. “I’ll take you any way I can get you.”

Her eyes widened for a second. “Court—”

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