Page 66 of Rock Bottom Romance

Her breathing became steady, and her body softened against him. Closing his eyes, he surrendered to the physical and mental fatigue of the day.

Crystal shifted in his arms, and Zach blinked, glancing at the alarm clock. Five o’clock. He must have fallen asleep.

His breath caught. When was the last time he’d slept until morning with no nightmares? Not a single night came to mind since he’d been back.

His thoughts went to Crystal, who’d slung a leg over his thighs and rested a hand on his torso. Her warm body molded to his brought back memories of the night before. The incredible sex followed by the things she’d said to him.

Except for his reaction to the chaos yesterday, he’d had fewer incidents since she’d come to the island. Now he’d slept uninterrupted all night.

A glimmer of hope lit inside. Of course, she hadn’t cured him, but what if being around her helped? Maybe therewasa way for them to be together without him scaring her. He’d be lying to himself if he didn’t admit she’d brought light to his life.For the first time in years, he felt alive. Not hunkered down in the woods, isolated. She, too, had been thrown into a tough situation, yet she had spunk and attitude in spades.

What mattered the most, though, was whether he could makeherhappy. He flashed back to the different ways her eyes sparkled. She had several. The mischievous way, when he’d told her about the pranks he and Levi played on each other growing up. The grateful way, when he’d brought her to the urgent care. The playful way, when she’d put on that silly hat at his mom’s and asked if he liked it.

“Mmm.” She moved against his side, her soft skin caressing him.

His cock twinged.

Trouble.

He had to get her back to the camp before the sun came up. But he couldn’t tear his gaze from her sweet face, so peaceful and innocent in slumber. He squeezed her. “I’m sorry to wake you. It’s time to take you back.”

She slid her leg off him and sat up. Yawning, she shook her head. “Wait, you can’t, the cameras will—”

“It’s okay. I’ll drop you at the perimeter, out of their range, and watch from there to make sure you get back safe.”

“All right. Thanks.”

He eyed her. Even with tousled hair, a pink cheek from where she’d rested against him, and sleepy eyes, she was still gorgeous. More so than when she was glammed up because this was the natural and real side of her. What would it be like to wake up to that every morning?

She took a deep breath and placed her palm on his forearm. “Can we finish our conversation from last night? You admitted you have feelings for me.”

“I do.”

“I meant what I said about wanting to be with you. You don’t get to decide what I need or what risks I should take.” She shook her head. “I'm done with that in my life. Other people have controlled things for too long. It’s what landed me here. At least from now on, the mistakes I make will be my own. And for the record, I don’t think this is one.”

This was going to be tough. Despite his earlier thoughts about wanting to make her happy, his protective instincts ran deep. He’d been taught and trained to be the risk taker to ensure no one got hurt. The weight of that responsibility sat on his shoulders. His battle scars shouldn’t be her problem. Still, she made a good point. How would he feel if someone took awayhisfree will to make life choices?

“Hear me out. I’ve given this some thought.” She tapped the side of her head. “Your business could grow with some savvy marketing. I can use my social media platforms and influencer status to promote the park. Also, your mother wants to pursue the wedding venue idea I’d mentioned. She said she wished she could hire me to help. I wouldn’t need to go back to California if I did either or both of these.”

Wow. Zach let the words sink in, feeling a bit blindsided that she’d been thinking about a possible future together, and he’d had no idea.

She shrugged. “If nothing else, I’m making money as an influencer, and I’m confident I can find another company that would want my marketing skills. It wouldn’t even have to be local with technology these days.”

Zach’s heart surged against his rib cage, too full to be contained. Not only had she given a special part of herself to him, she was willing to make huge changes for a chance to be with him. She’d thought it all through, which meant this wasn’t an emotional response from having sex with him. It humbledand terrified him at the same time because he wanted it so much, but at what cost to her?

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Crystal held her breath after baring her soul to Zach. His silence and set jaw told her he was battling with what to say, which might be good or bad. Her pulse thinned as she waited, hoping he’d take the leap and give them a chance together.

What they’d shared had been nothing short of amazing. She’d had no idea what sex could be like. Something told her it wasn’t this way for everyone. He’d said it had been the best ever for him, and she wasn’t even experienced enough to know what to do. Could it get even better? At the end of the day, that wasn’t what was important. Their future together was all she cared about.

She blinked and refocused on his face. What mattered now was what he said next, because if he shut her down, it was over.

Taking her hand, he swallowed. “There’s no logic to us trying to be together. We’re complete opposites and have totally different lifestyles.”

Her hope dropped like ratings after a tanked show. He was right. But what she felt for him had nothing to do with logic. Lowering her head, she fought back tears. She wouldn’t beg him.If he didn’t feel the same way about her, then she had to move on and try to forget about him. Like that would ever happen.

He cleared his throat. “The thing is…”

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