“I hope the ends of those sentences were good.” I teased him. Kieron still had yet to drag his eyes from me or my legs.
“You know you’ve seen it all before.” I smirked to which he just groaned like he was in physical pain. “What? You have.”
“Bringing up the best night of sex in my life to try to get me to calm down is not the best plan.”
“That was the best night for you? Even with all of your other girls?” I asked, his words reminding me of how much more experienced he is. How many girls he must have brought home with him. I mean, he’s gorgeous so they must have been too.
“100% that night with you was the best night I’ve ever had. And I’m sure that when we take that step again, it will be amazing and satisfying in a way that I haven’t had in five years.” He said bringing his hands to mine and folding them to rest on his chest. “And the other girls? They didn’t mean anything. They were a distraction and a way to get the guys off my back. But that doesn’t take away any of my feelings and want for you.”
“But…I’m broken.” I said softly, trying to hold the soul-crushing inadequacies back and hidden.
“Baby,” Kieron sounded like he had been punched in the chest. “Do you really think that?”
“Of course, I do! I have no idea how you don’t and how you don’t hold it all against me! For fuck’s sake, I got scared when you tipped my chin up and I felt trapped. You could have anyone, Kieron. Don’t you realize that? Anyone. But you’ve decided for some reason to latch onto me. To save me. Which I’m incredibly grateful for and I will always be. But you don’t have to…pretend like I’m something better than I am.” I said, my anger at the whole situation bleeding into my words.
Five years ago, I believed that I was worthy of someone like him. And that was back when I was just confident, oozed sexuality and was always willing to tell others were to fucking stick it when they tried to fuck with me.
God, how I’ve fallen. Look at me now.
“Talia,” He sounded surprised and when I looked at him, his expression was puzzled. His eyebrows furrowed and his mouth was open slightly as if he wanted to say something but didn’t.
“I can’t do anything about the other girls I’ve been with. Just like you can’t change how you were with Garzino. But we have a chance now,” He took both of my hands and ran his thumbs over my knuckles. “That we didn’t before. So, no. I don’t think you’re broken. I think you’re a survivor and you’ve done what you needed to do to survive. I think you’re brave and beautiful.” He said and cradled my face between his strong hands. “I think you’re ambitious and even though you don’t see yourself how you used to, I see you. I see all of you.”
“You do?”
“I do.” He said with a smile.
“And you’re sure you want me?” I asked, hating how my voice cracked.
“More than anything.” He replied immediately, making me smile.
“Thank you.”
“You know, I feel like you say that a lot.” Kieron said with a smirk.
“Probably because I do. You do many things for me that I need to show gratitude for.” I rolled my eyes and smiled at him.
“From now on, you don’t need to thank me. Just be happy and I’ll be happy as well.”
Instead of replying with another ‘thank you’ like I wanted to, I stepped into his open arms and wrapped my arms around his torso, pressing my ear against his chest. His arms wrapped around me again, holding me close to him in the most loving, protective way. His strong arms felt like home.
“So, you like my clothing choices?” He asked. I could swear that his voice had a hint of nerves in it. Like he was worried about what I thought.
“I do, I really do. Thank you.” I said, pulling back from the hug to look at him. When he heard my thanks, he gave me a pointed look which I ignored and continued. “It does seem like you have a type though.” I smirked.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, all the clothes are dark, bold and sexy. Very similar to what you wear.” I said, very matter-of-factly and straightened the lapel of his leather jacket. Kieron looked down at my outfit and I saw his tongue swipe out and lick his bottom lip.
“I hadn’t thought of it like that. Honestly, I just thought about things that would look sexy on you. And I was right.” His hand went down to caress my thigh, right over my Athena tattoo and watching me intently to make sure I was okay until his hand up reached the curve of my ass and my breath caught. This time it wasn’t from fear or nerves, there was no part of me that was nervous and didn’t want him to keep going.
“This one is new.” He said softly, moving his hand lower again to the tattoo.
“I got it a few years ago.” My voice sounded shaky.
“I like it. I like them all.” He whispered, bringing his lips closer to mine but stopping right before our lips actually touched.
“I like yours too. I want to…” I said, but my words cut off with a small moan as his hand went back to my ass and he squeezed slightly.
