Page 46 of Love on the Line

“Yes, you should, because you thought it.” He rounded the counter and stopped in front of her. “I’m telling you this relationship stuff is harder than all of that. I’ve never been more clueless.”

“About what?”

“You. You’re important to me, and I’m scared to death I’m gonna fuck this up because I don’t know what I’m doing. If you expect everything to be perfect, we’ll never make it.”

She placed her hand on his. “I didn’t realize I was pressuring you. I try to do the exact opposite by not making demands or expecting special treatment.”

“I get that, but I suck at this talking and relationship stuff. I know how to take someone out to a fancy place and impress them, but you don’t want that.” His gut twisted. “I figured you wanted to break up when you saw my wild-days pictures, not talk about them. Then I got jealous over your charity dinner meeting. What kind of asshole does that make me? I’ve never been jealous before.”

Her eyes softened, and she sniffled. “Me either. That’s why the recent picture upset me so much.”

He picked up her hand and inched closer. “I wish I could get you to relax. Why is it so important to you that things be a certain way? Can’t you just let go a little?”

“It’s hard for me because I’ve always been the responsible one.” She gazed up at him. “People depend on me, and I don’t want to let them down.”

“That’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself.” He rested a hand on her shoulder. “You don’t need to do that around me. I’d love to see you let loose, mess something up, and be able to laugh about it.”

“Yeah? That’s kind of wacked.”

“You don’t know what you’re missing if you play it safe all the time and never take a chance.”

She nodded. “I know you’re right. It’s just hard for me.”

“It doesn’t have to be.” He pulled her in for a hug and she melted against him, soft and warm. Poor thing tried to carry the weight of the world. If only he could get her to chill.

He eased back. “Can we start this night over?”

“I’d like that.” She slid her arms around his neck.

He lowered his head and kissed her. Tenderly at first, but that never lasted long. She kissed him back, pressing closer. He stroked his hands down her sides, flicking his tongue against her teeth. She opened her mouth for him.

God, she tasted good. A unique flavor all her own, sweet and intoxicating. A groan rumbled in his chest, and he dragged his mouth to her neck, trailing kisses down to her shoulder. Her soft, warm skin felt like velvet under his lips. She shivered, goosebumps forming on her arms. The way she reacted to him set his body aflame.

He lifted his head and placed a hand on the side of her face. So beautiful with her cheeks flushed and that slightly out of focus look that meant she’d gotten lost in that kiss. “You mean so much to me. I promise I’ll get better at this communication stuff.”

“Me, too. And you’re right about letting go and taking chances.” She leaned her head into his hand.

“It makes life more exciting.” His fingers gently massaged her back. “Try this. Think of something that scares the hell out of you, but you really want to do it.”

A blush turned her already pink face darker, and her gaze fell to her feet.

“What? Did you think of something?”

“Yeah.” Her voice cracked on the word.

He tipped her chin up with his finger and looked her in the eyes. “Can you tell me what it is, and I’ll help you do it.”

She took a shaky breath.

“Come on, you can do this. Trust me.”

“Okay.” She stood on her tiptoes, dragged his head down, and whispered in his ear, “I want to spend the whole weekend with you.”

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