“Kiera…” Yes, that’s exactly what this is about.
She brought a hand to my chest and stepped closer to me. The tenderness and proximity sent a shock of desire through me. I still wanted her. I still loved her. It eased the pain, but not the confusion. “No, don’t leave because I was stupid. You had a good thing here before I…”
I retreated from her by a half step. It was the farthest I could push her away, because I didn’t want to push her away. I wanted her closer…so much closer. “It’s not…it’s not you. You didn’t do anything wrong. You belong to Denny. I never should have…” I sighed as the truth hit me like a ton of bricks. This was never her fault. All this time I’d been angry at her, and I was the one to blame. I had known she loved Denny. I had known she was masking her pain with me. But she hadn’t known that I loved her. She hadn’t known she meant anything to me at all, so how could she possibly have known that she’d hurt me? I’d vanished right afterward, then grown cold, then grown distant. She was never mine to take. She was Denny’s, and I was a bastard for ever going there. “You…you and Denny are both…”
Tears still streaming down her face, she stepped closer and pressed her body against mine. Her touch burned like fire…and I was so cold. “Both what?” she asked.
I couldn’t move; I could barely breathe. I wanted her more than I’d ever wanted anyone, but this wasn’t right. We weren’t meant to be…but I needed her so much. “You’re both…important to me,” I whispered, meaning every syllable.
She brought her lips so close to mine, I could feel her breath on my face. My heart started racing. She was so close. Another inch…and she’d be mine. “Important…how?”
Say it. Just say it. Tell her that you love her. Tell her that she’s all you think about, and every bad mood or dick comment you’ve ever made was because she hurt you. Confess, goddammit.
Why? She’s with Denny. It won’t change anything.
I shook my head and stepped back again. “Kiera…let me go. You don’t want this…” You don’t want me. “Go back inside, go back to Denny.” Where you belong.
I moved my hand to pull her off me, but she batted my arm away. “Stay,” she commanded.
Warmth and pain battled within me. No one had ever asked me to stay before. No one had ever shed tears over me before. She did care. She had to. But she cared about him too…and I didn’t know what to do about that. “Please, Kiera, go.” Before we both get hurt even more…go.
Her beautiful eyes were a deep emerald green in the semidarkness. They searched mine as she spoke. “Stay…please. Stay with me…don’t leave me.”
Her voice broke as she begged for herself, not for Denny. This no longer had anything to do with Denny. This was about her and me. A tear rolled down my cheek, and I did nothing to stop it. She wanted me to stay with her. She cared about me. She wanted me. Me.
But as much as I wanted to pretend it was just the two of us in this parking lot, I knew we weren’t alone. And I couldn’t do that to him. He meant a lot to me. But I’d never had this…I’d never had anyone want me. I’d never been wanted at all. Warring with myself, I muttered, “Don’t. I don’t want…” I don’t want to hurt him. I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want to get hurt. So what do I want?
Her palm touched my face then, and her thumb brushed away the track of my tear. Her warmth seared me. It traveled all the way down my body, igniting me. My breath stopped as my eyes locked onto hers. I wanted her. Now. But I still couldn’t do this.
Her other hand reached up to grab my neck. She pulled me until our lips brushed together. I almost crumpled to my knees, it felt so good. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips against mine again. I stiffened, but moved my lips with hers. Jesus, I’d missed this so much. I’d missed her so much. I wanted her so much. I loved her so much. But still…
“Don’t do this,” I whispered to myself between our hungry lips. This will only hurt us…all three of us. Be strong enough to walk away. Stop this. Her lips pressed harder against mine. Even as pain leached out of my throat in a whimper, my willpower dissolved. “What are you doing, Kiera?” What am I doing?
She paused with her lips brushing mine. “I don’t know…just don’t leave me, please don’t leave me.” The truth and pain in her voice were undeniable—she wanted me.
Her eyes were shut, so she couldn’t see the smile on my face. I won’t. I won’t ever leave you. “Kiera…please…” I’m yours…take me. My resistance faded away with a shudder, and I sought her mouth. I needed her. I’d always needed her. And she wanted me to stay…she wanted me with her…she wanted me. And I was hers.