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“No, you don’t.” She thinned her lips. “You accused me of terrible things. Took what I thought we had and reduced it to a ploy for getting a fucking story. Because how else would a woman who looks like me have a shot at being with someone like you.”
Jesus, daggers shot directly into his heart and he flinched, but he refused to let her gaze go. She had every right to feel this way and he would take all she dished out. He deserved every single cut she wanted to inflict.
“I’ve wanted you since I met you, Hope Roman. The second in that car when you were hanging upside down, no doubt scared out of your mind, and you took the time to reach for me. Not because you had to but to thank me.”
Mitchell had to touch her again. He slid an arm around her waist and drew her closer to him, still keeping his other hand on the door. Ignoring the hair which fell over one eye, he stared at this incredible woman.
“You went out of your way to give me the space I so unwisely thought I wanted at The Thrush & the Clover.” He dipped his fingers below the hem of her shirt, seeking out her skin, desperate for the contact. For her silken skin to once again brush along his.
Without her, his life was empty. He didn’t want to go back to that. He took a deep breath and forged ahead. Now wasn’t the time for caution. He had to do this one hundred percent.
“You never took more than I was willing to give and never asked me for more. Yet you watched me with this look that warmed me like no heater ever could. Or fire. I don’t know when I fell in love with you at that bed and breakfast, Hope, but I did. Nothing you can say will make that less than a fact.” He spread his fingers along the small of her back, bringing her closer to him millimeter by millimeter.
Her lip trembled. “I don’t think you know what being in love is.”
“Fair assessment.” He lowered his head and breathed her in. God, she still smelled delicious. “But I do know that I’m fucking miserable without you in my life. I’m a moody bastard and my friends are pretty close to kicking me to the curb.”
“I’m not your cure-all.” She tried to move and put space between them and while he let her take the step she’d sought, he followed, keeping them touching.
But he didn’t stop there, he kept her moving until the door was behind her and there could be no more retreat. He ran his gaze over her features, memorizing them all over again. “I spent hours watching you sleep, committing every inch of you to memory. I know you’re not my cure-all, Flykra. But you are my five spot. My center.”
“Why are you doing this to me?” There was more than a hint of vulnerability in her tone.
“I need you to know the truth. I can never take back the callous words I foolishly uttered that day.” He repositioned his hands so they cupped the sides of her face. “If you give me another chance, I will spend every fucking day doing my best to make up for them. To show you I was wrong and prove to you how much I love you.”
“You’re a persistent man, Mr. Anderson.”
“Only when it’s something worth having in my life.” God, he longed to kiss her. Mitchell settled for skimming his thumbs along her cheeks. “And never doubt this, Flykra, you are worth having in my life.”
…
Hope stared into his eyes, searching for something. She wasn’t sure what, but she continued to seek. Mitchell Anderson didn’t move. He waited for her to make her decision. His large, strong hands continued to cradle her face.
“I have to go,” she murmured.
Pain filled his gaze but he let her go and stepped back, allowing her room to maneuver. Damn it, she hated the feeling of loss which accompanied his move back. Even as she appreciated that he released her.
But did she really?
Would it be so bad if he didn’t and held her to him, confessing his love for her?
“I have to wrap up this story and take care of the inheritance letter I was in town to pick up. Maybe we can talk after?” If it made her weak, so be it. She wasn’t able to not talk to him. They had a bond, a tie that she couldn’t sever. Even if she wanted to pretend that she’d done so already.
“Time and place?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I’m leaving the country.”
There wasn’t any way to miss the clench of his shadowed jaw. “And the one with you? Where does he fit in all this?”
“You have no right to ask that.” God, she couldn’t get her heart to stop thundering in her chest. How pathetic did it make her that she wanted him to be jealous?
