CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
B ella stared down at her now empty coffee cup. The stench of fried eggs and bacon clogging her throat as she let tears skim her cheeks. She’d done exactly what Luke had accused her of doing last night. She’d run. Snuck out of bed and driven to the nearest roadside diner. She hadn’t even waited until sunlight.
Hearing Luke tell her he loved her, over and over, had done something to her. Toppled down the very last defenses she’d surrounded her heart with. And that was beyond scary. She’d promised herself a long time ago to never let that happen. Marco was the closest she’d ever come to loving a man, but she’d given herself that, that was safe. That love wouldn’t hurt her. Not like Luke’s love would.
So why did you sleep with him?
Her hand went to her face as she began swiping the tears away. That was a good question. She clearly couldn’t trust herself around him. Yet another reason she’d run.
“Another coffee, doll?” the young waitress cast a sympathetic glance her way.
Bella gave her a nod, keeping her gaze on the mug as a steady stream of hot liquid filled her vision.
Even after the waitress left, she continued to stare. Doubt was creeping in. Making her body heavy, her chest tight and her throat restrict.
Just as she was contemplating calling an ambulance, peppery leather filled her lungs. No longer spellbound by the coffee, her eyes shot up. Luke.
Fuck.
She’d not run far enough.
Or maybe you wanted to be found.
“Angel.” His serious stare was killing her. She’d hurt him. Again. “Please stop running.”
She was shaking her head in denial, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to deny it out loud.
Because he’s right. You’re running. That’s what you do best.
“People can’t hurt you if they can’t find you,” she whispered.
“I’m not going to hurt you, angel.”
“You will.” Her words were still quiet, her tone resigned.
“No, Bella.” Luke reached across the table and grasped each of her hands, squeezing them tight as he looked so deep into her, she was finding it hard to swallow. “I’d hurt myself and the whole fucking world before I ever hurt you, that I promise.”
She wanted to believe him. So badly. But fuckboys didn’t magically turn into princes overnight. The man had never once had a relationship and now all of a sudden he was in love. What made her so special? It was impossible to wrap her head around it.
“Why me?” she asked.
A look of confusion crossed Luke’s face. “What?”
“I said, why me? You’ve been with plenty of women.” She pushed down the nausea those words conjured. “What makes you think, after all this time, you’re ready to be with someone ... ready to love someone? Ready to love me?”
He squeezed her hands again. “Sweetheart, how are you not getting this?” A small smile tipped his lips.
“Getting what?” she dared ask.
“No other woman was you . I’ve been waiting my whole life for you , Bella. Don’t you get it?” She was held hostage by the flames dancing in his eyes. They thickened the air, made it crackle. “You were right about the walls I put up. Nothing short of a bulldozer would get them to crumble. I made sure of that. But I realize now that they’ve been falling ever since the day I met you. And now there’s nothing left. They fell. For you. So I could love you the way you’re meant to be loved.”
That was a good fucking answer. Back was the chest pain. Only this time, she was finding it hard to breathe. It wasn’t helping that his intense gaze was still boring into her. Expectantly.
What the hell am I supposed to say to that?
Luckily, she didn’t have to reply, not yet anyway, as he continued to shock her into submission.
“Move in with me?”
“Huh?” was all she could manage.
“Move in with me,” he repeated. “Come back to Woodvalley.”
“You’re insane.”
“Insanely in love.” His smile was now full-blown. “Come on, angel. Move in with me.”
The man’s cockiness never failed to shock her; she hadn’t even told him she loved him back. She had even run from him. Twice. And yet here he was, asking her to move in. After knowing her for the grand total of four weeks.
But you do love him, don’t you?
Nothing could stop the sigh from leaving her lips. She did love him, it was true. But that didn’t mean Luke wasn’t acting certifiable, which is what she told him.
“What have you got to lose?” was his reply.
“Everything.”
“Or nothing? Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t love me.” Oh shit. She couldn’t. Wouldn’t. And he knew it. Was using it against her. “Come on, angel. What are you waiting for?”
“Fine!” she might have yelled. “Fine. I love you, okay, Luke.” She was getting louder. “Are you happy? I said it. I love you, and I’m scared shitless you have the power to hurt me more than anyone else ever could.”
“What did you say?” he panted.
She couldn’t tell if he was being serious or not, so she didn’t answer. Not that he waited for her to. He was sliding out of the booth and tugging her out of her seat a moment later, his hand going to her waist, easily pulling her into him as he searched her expression.
“You love me?”
“Yes,” she breathed. Heart hammering.
Suddenly, his mouth was on her. Kissing the hell out of her. Scrambling her senses. A kiss so good, it had her questioning everything.
What’s a little pain if it means getting to kiss this man every day?
Reluctantly, she pulled back, letting her eyes roam his face. “Don’t hurt me.”
“Never,” he boomed, “I swear, angel. Your heart is safe with me.”
This time, she was the one to capture his lips. Hoping to find the answer on the tip of his tongue, she took her time tasting him. Not stopping as her spine tingled and his hoarse groan vibrated down her throat.
Her mind raced quicker than her pulse. Could she really do this?
You were considering it a week ago. Before you even knew he loved you.
She needed to hear that. Be reminded that seven days ago she was all in. After last night, she was no longer questioning his intentions. She needed to stop making excuses. Face her fear. And follow her heart.
Coming up for air once again, she let her forehead drop against his. “Let’s do this. Let’s move in together.”
She didn’t need to look to know that he was smiling. The light laugh tickling her lips was enough. He was yet to answer, though, he was too busy burying his hands under her arms. A moment later, she was off the floor and being spun around by strong arms.
Whistles and hoots from other diners erupted around them. Her own giggle even escaped as happiness bloomed in her belly. For the first time in her life, she was going to run toward something, instead of away. And she knew deep down to her soul that Luke was worth it. He was worth the risk.