Page 85 of I Got You

“Maggie, you can’t be scared of a little mouse.”

“There was nothing little about that.”

I bring my hands to her head, pulling her face away to look at me. “Are you ok now?” I can’t help my smirk.

“I don’t know.” Her eyes spear into mine. “The only reason he will remain living is because he made you laugh. You should do that more often.”

“Yeah?” I look at her. Her eyes. Her mouth. That mouth that I want to kiss. The only mouth I want to kiss and possibly never stop.

“Definitely. It’s a really nice sound.”

I stoop down to bring my forehead to hers. I know I shouldn’t cross this line, but I’ve never wanted to trip across one so badly. The consequences are sky-high, and at the moment, I want to convince myself that everything will be fine. That taking this step isn’t me being a selfish bastard. She deserves someone who can give her everything.

It takes me just a second to realize she’s not pulling back. I close my eyes, feeling her nose press into my cheek as her hands fist my shirt and then the softest brush of her lips along my jaw. Those lips I want to tackle and taste and permanently mark as mine and mine only.

She whispers my name, and the urge to capture her mouth is too great.

Then, a small voice breaks through my fog. “Maggie.”

I quickly pull back as Maggie sits, looking as dazed and confused as I feel.

“Maggie.” I hear Liv again through the door. “Are you ok? Teddy’s worried you’re really mad.”

She clears her throat. “Yeah. I’m ok. Tell him he’s on bathroom duty for a month.”

“Ok. Dinner is done. Are you coming?”

“Yeah. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Her gaze creeps up to meet mine. The spell is broken, but she looks like she, too, is wondering what would’ve happened. “Thank you for rescuing me.”

I should be thanking Teddy. “Anytime.” I step away to leave her to shower, but everything in me wants to stay and get right back to what we were about to do.

I close the door behind me and take a long, deep breath, rubbing my hand over my face. I need to get a grip. Going there with Maggie will only leave her hurt and disappointed. I’ll do anything to prevent that.

I wish I could be everything she needs and deserves, the man she’s envisioned sharing her life with, but I’m not. I’ve known for a long time that I’m not and that you can’t give something to someone that you’ve never had.

I wasn’t made for love and partnership. I spent too many years alone, never knowing that feeling or experiencing that kind of connection to be anything worthwhile for someone else.

It’s all I know. It’s all I’ll ever be. This is it. I shake my head. I can’t let that happen again. I can’t let Maggie think that I have something more to offer her when I don’t.

I will do anything to help her. I will protect her and help her protect these kids, which includes protecting her from me.

Chapter 31

MAGGIE

Shane’s large calloused hand runs across my face, brushing the hair away. I stay perfectly still. Maybe I’m dreaming. I’ve likely manifested his touch. After that almost kiss during the mouse incident, things have gotten real, at least for me. The longer I go without kissing Shane, really kissing him, and understanding every single detail of what it’s like, the more frustrated I get.

Do I know it’s likely not a good idea? Yes. Do I understand that, as far as Shane is concerned, kissing will just be kissing? Yes. Do I want more than that? Another big fat YES.

So I lay perfectly still, taking anything I can get as his fingers move tenderly across my face and linger there. I want to lean into them. I want to move closer, find his lips, and let my hands roam over all the muscle underneath the thin layer of cotton. I want to take my time and finally know the depths of Shane I know exist but remain completely closed off.

I barely withhold a moan, catching it before it’s released.

“Maggie. Hey.” Shane’s hand moves from my face and wraps around my shoulder. “Maggie.”

I whine, rolling over, wanting him to go back to doing exactly what he was doing and so much more. I’d even take him sitting up and reading to me like he has been on the nights he’s been home rather than get up.

“What? I don’t want to get up. There are too many things to do.” I roll on my back and stare at the ceiling, a stream of light coming through a crack in the curtains. Shane stretches his arms in the air. His forearms are like masterpieces, all on their own. Good night.

---