I figured I flat out didn’t deserve her.

But then she had to go and show up here looking for me just now. Looking pretty as fuck too. All breathy voiced and wide eyed, telling me she’s no game player.

She came here for me. For me and no one else.

That has to mean something, right?

I press my lips to hers in a harsh, punishing kiss, thrusting my tongue inside her mouth, taking what she so easily gives. I’m so overwhelmed by her presence, I come at her way too strong, but she’s not put off. If anything, she’s just as eager as I am as she slides her hands up my chest to curl her arms around my neck, clinging to me right there in the middle of the tree grove where anyone can see us. She’s kissing me back with the same intensity I’m delivering, though not as brutal. She softens the kiss. Softens me.

Though the kiss is definitely sweeter, it’s also got me wanting more of her taste. Her warmth. I’m groaning and she’s whimpering and my hands are somehow gripping her perfect ass, pulling her into me so she can feel my hard dick. Before we get too carried away, I yank myself out of her embrace and take a wide step away, needing the distance.

“You’ve been avoiding me, huh?” she asks, her breaths coming in accelerated pants as she wipes at the corner of her lips.

I run a hand through my hair, searching for composure. Finding none. Should I lie? I bet she’d hate that. She won’t like my honest answer either, though. “Yeah.”

The hurt on her face is unmistakable. “Why?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I got—”

The word won’t come to me.

More like I don’t want to say it.

“What? Scared? Is that it? Did you get scared, Isaac?” She wraps her arms around herself, as if she needs to ward herself from the sudden cold. Or me. “We have one great night together and that’s it? You walk?”

“Maybe that’s all it’s supposed to be.” I shrug, feeling like a giant liar. It’s not what I want. Not by a longshot.

But how can I admit what I really want without looking like I’m moving too fast? She’ll go running if I say something right now.

“You don’t really believe that.” Her voice is flat.

I can only offer her another shrug. What else can I say?

“My friend Stella says you’re my rebound man,” she admits, her voice soft.

“So it’s true,” I tell her, sounding hostile as fuck, but I can’t help myself.

“No.” She shakes her head. “I didn’t say that—she did. I mean, I suppose that’s what it looks like, but that’s not what you are to me.”

“What am I to you then?” My chest grows tight the moment the words leave me. I’m fully prepared for rejection. Sort of.

Okay, not at all, but I can take it like a man.