“Because it kind of feels like you’re doing all these favors for me because Ineedthem. But I need you to know I am capable. I can protect myself. I can be successful. Just as I am.” My heart thumps louder in my head with the reminder to him, and myself, that I am capable of this. I’ve never even been this open with my dad. Why is it so much easier to say these things to Sean?
“I know you are.” He loops a finger through the tie of my apron. “You are all those things and so much more. You don’t need me at all Sunny. Yet I keep coming back because…” he shakes his head. “I guessIjust want to be needed.”
The righteous indignation that was rearing up in my chest flickers and dies. Before I can tell him that I want him, I need him, he speaks up.
“I just want to help, Sunny, because I lo—” he swallows. “Because I love to see you smile.”
My heart races with the song overhead, its rhythm matching the crescendo and intensity of the Carol of the Bells.
“Consider me your cheerleader.”
I bite the inside of my cheek trying to reign in all the emotions flooding me right now. He’s too sweet, too charming, and I love it. “Does that make me the quarterback?”
“Whatever you want, baby.”
I’m going to do something stupid. I can feel it, but I can’t stop it. Nor do I think I want to. I step closer to him, intoxicated by the control he’s allowing me to have. I reach for his hand, mingling our fingers. “So… if I pull you under the bleachers for a kiss?”
“I’d follow.” His head drops lower. But this is my game. I get to decide how this ends. I arch up on my toes and plant my lips on his.
A groan escapes him, so deep I feel it tingle against my mouth. He releases my hand and grabs my waist, hauling me up to him. He backs us into the empty kitchen, setting me on the table and kissing my lips in intervals.
My jaw, my lips.
My neck, my lips.
He raises my left arm and presses achingly tender kisses to the end, all the way up to my shoulder.
I’ve never felt so adored, so seen. When he brings his lips to mine, I urge him to stay and deepen the kiss. And he does, slanting his mouth over mine, coaxing my lips to match his intensity. His hands are in my hair, on my neck, pulling me closer, kissing me deeper. My own kiss is just as wild.Ineed Sean.
“What is happening?” a voice booms through the kitchen.
I rip my lips away from Sean to find my angry father in the doorway. “Dad?”
He stomps between the two of us, pulls me off the counter, and pushes Sean away. “I believe I’ve made it perfectly clear that you need to stay away from my daughter.”
Sean folds his arms. “Funny, those aren’t the words I remember.”
“You’re right. There were probably a few expletives. Look, I’ve been generous, I let you two have a little date, but this ends now.”
“Excuse me?” I yell at my dad. He doesn’t run my life. But he doesn’t hear me as he keeps laying into Sean.
“I told you seven years ago, and I’ll tell you now: you’re not good enough for my daughter.”
“What are you talking about?” Ice settles in my veins.What did he do seven years ago?“Dad, look at me. Talk to me please.”
Sean steps around my dad and smiles at me, his hazel eyes like pieces of shattered glass. “It’s fine. Your dad’s right. I’m not nearly good enough for you, Sunny.”
My dad stiffens. I never told him about the nickname.
“No, Sean.” How could this be falling apart so fast? Was it me? Did I do something wrong? My eyes burn, but I refuse to let any tears fall.
“Hey,” Sean whispers. “Don’t cry, beautiful. I’ll be back.” Then he turns and walks out of my shop.
Will he? What if this time he doesn’t come back? I feel like I’m bleeding out and nothing can stop the flow.
I whirl on my dad. “Get out of my shop.”
“London!” He falls back a step. “Don’t talk to me like that. I’m your dad. I wasprotectingyou.”
