Page 51 of Broken: Taylor

Taylor turned his head to the side allowing her more access to his throat. She slid her right hand down his chest past the ridges of his stomach, careful to avoid his injured side.

A low rumble sounded when she traced the hardness between Taylor’s legs and his mouth took hers. The kiss was hungry and hard, his need for more without question.

Taylor pulled back, his breathing shallow and fast. “How about a refill on that wine?”

There was no question in her mind he was attracted to her, but he’d not agreed to a relationship and without saying it out loud had turned down her offer.

How do you hide disappointment coupled with embarrassment? He was not interested in her outside of sex. The “at least you tried” self-talk would not work to help remove the sting of his rejection.

“No thank you. I better head back. Better take my time and not hit a tree with Tori’s car.”

His downcast gaze hid whatever he was thinking as Allison slid to stand. With the wine glasses in hand, she went to the kitchen to place them on the counter and retrieve her purse.

“Thank you for dinner Taylor. It was delicious.”

Taylor stood by the door and when she reached for her jacket, which she’d thrown over the back of a chair, he covered her hand.

“I’m not sure I want you to leave.”

What the hell was that supposed to mean? She was seriously starting to get tired of his mixed signals.

His nonverbal reply had basically been, “I can’t make love to you, therefore nix on the relationship”.

Followed by “I don’t want you to leave, therefore, maybe there’s a chance”.

“What do you want? You confuse me.”

Not taking his eyes from her, he slipped the purse strap from her shoulder and put it on the chair.

“Don’t be confused.” When Taylor took a step toward her, Allison took one back. Her back against the door, Taylor trapped her and took her chin in his hand to tip her face up. “I want more with you. I just don’t want you to settle...” he left the rest of the sentence unsaid, as he searched her face.

There it was. Insecurity. The one thing she’d never think or expect when it came to Taylor Hamilton. He was always so strong. Like an unmovable boulder to which one could cling when the current of life threatened.

“Never settle Allison. You are so vibrant.”

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Her voice pitched up a couple of octaves. “One thing you are not is someone a woman “settles” for. Have you seen yourself in the mirror? I mean, yeah you’re hot as all get out. But how shallow do you think I am?” She was rambling and needed to stop.

Thank goodness, he covered her mouth with his.

“Come back. Sit down,” Taylor said.

“I can’t. I better go.” There was little certainty in her voice. Even she could hear the lack of commitment to leaving. But damn it, it was a mistake to stay there. Not only could things become awkward, but also he did not want a relationship. Taylor was being a nice guy and making sure they remained friendly.

“Maybe we can go out for pizza later this week,” she offered. “I have to go to the city in a couple of days to get a car. Ben’s taking me. He likes car shopping. Or so he says.” Once again Allison couldn’t stop talking. When nervous, her mouth went on automatic ramble mode. “Maybe I’ll get a little truck this time...”

“Allison.” His deep voice stopped her babbling and his hand cupping her face made her still. “I do want you. More than anything, but...”

“Stop it Taylor. Tell me what do you want? If you are willing to try a relationship, I am too. But if you’re not sure then I’m gone. There won’t be any hard feelings.

“I do want you...us... it’s just that...” Taylor let out a long breath.

He stopped talking when Allison slipped her hands under the dark t-shirt he wore. As the fabric rose, it revealed a toned taut muscular physique that only came from constant workouts.

She remained transfixed when his hazel eyes met hers and she unfastened the top button of his jeans. Once again uncertainty flickered, but only for a moment as the corner of his lips lifted.

“You sure you want to see this?”

Just above the waistband on his left side two scars peeked. The skin was pink seeming not yet totally healed.