Forged of Steele Bundle (Books 1-4) - Brenda Jackson [169]
“Why did you come, Reese?”
“Did you think I would stay away?”
No, she really hadn’t thought that since he’d always gone after what he wanted. But she just couldn’t understand why and how he could still love her after all these years. Especially now.
As if he’d read her thoughts he smiled and said, “Hey, don’t even wonder about it, Leah. You knew you had my heart from the first.”
She couldn’t help but release a humorless laugh. “It was either me or Kristi Alford, and you deserved better.”
He chuckled. “Yes, and you were definitely it. I have no regrets.”
Neither had she. Still, all the good times they’d shared in the past could not wipe out everything that had happened.
“Leah, I—”
When he reached out to touch her arm, automatically she pulled back and fear jumped into her eyes as her entire body went rigid against his touch. She saw the surprise in his gaze and released a frustrated sigh. “I told you I get filled with revulsion at the thought of any man touching me, no matter how innocent. I think it will be better if you leave now.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not leaving and I’m not going to let you put distance between us. I understand the barriers you’ve put up, but I won’t let it stop me from proving something.”
“Proving what?”
“That to you I’m not a regular guy, Leah. I’m the man you loved and by your own admission, the man you still love. Somehow I’m going to remind you of that and break through those walls you’ve erected. I’m going to be the one man who’ll make you want to be touched again.”
She hugged her arms to her breasts and glared at him. “You’re pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
He smiled. “Yes, and I’m pretty sure of you. You could never resist me when I laid things on thick.”
No, she couldn’t, but things weren’t the same anymore. “But that was then.”
“And it could be now if you let it. I want us to get back together. I want to marry you, give you babies we’ll both love, and I want to be there for you until the day I die.”
The sincerity in his words touched her and she couldn’t help the tears that formed in her eyes. Whether he knew it or not, he was offering her a chance to reclaim her dream. But still…
“It won’t work, Reese,” she said quietly, again trying to make him see reason.
“How do you know if you won’t give it a chance? Give us a chance. We can take things slow, start off by going out to eat, to the movies, take walks…and I promise to keep my hands to myself. In fact I will keep my hands to myself until you say you’re ready for something more.”
She lifted a brow. “No kisses?” She remembered how much they’d liked to kiss.
He smiled softly. “And as much as it will probably drive me crazy, no kisses.”
They stared at each other for a long moment and Leah thought about his words, his offer. She met his gaze, studied the expression on his face, looked into the depth of his eyes. “Why do you want to do this? There are other women in town who’d jump at the chance to—”
“You’re the one I want, Leah. You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted. You spoiled me for anyone else.” He chuckled quietly. “I didn’t know just how messed up I was until you left. I haven’t been able to get involved with anyone else and it’s been a long time.”
For him it was a long time, since she knew just how passionate he was. “Why?” she asked.
“Because I couldn’t imagine making love to anyone but you.”
Leah wondered if he knew what that admission meant to her. But then, if he was putting all his hopes in her, he still might not be making love to anyone. “Reese, I—”
“No. Just say we can make a go of things again, Leah. We’ll take thing slow but we’ll still make a go. Although we enjoyed the time we were together, for us it was never just about sex anyway. Remember?”
Yes, she did remember. The sex had been good, but they had shared a special friendship,