His brows drew together as he brought his hand to cup her face. “Of what, Angel? You know I’d never pressure you to do anything you weren’t ready for, right? What are you worried about?”
She nodded. “Every time a man got his fill of sex with me, whether it be one time or more, it would end. Just like that, I’d be thrown out like yesterday’s trash.” Or worse.
His jaw tensed.
“I don’t want this to end. Not yet,” she whispered.
He pulled her against his chest tightly as if trying to erase the hurt from her past. “I’ll admit, I don’t know what this is between us. I’ve never felt anything this . . . strong before. And I know I have a reputation. But I want you to know I’ve never done for another woman the things that I have for you. And I never expect anything from you that you are not ready to give.”
His deep voice was like a tattoo on her soul, branding her with promises that glowed of hope and possibilities.
“I haven’t actually been with a woman since before my diagnosis, more than eighteen months ago.”
His confession floored her. After all the rumors, she’d thought for sure . . .
“Why not?” she asked.
He sighed. “No one caught my interest until you. You sparked something in me, shocked me back to life.”
She craned her neck and kissed him, infusing her admiration and awe for this man into every brush of her lips and tangle of their tongues. He held her gently as she rubbed the tip of her nose against his and kissed his cheek.
“I trust you, Bently. And that doesn’t come easily for me.”
“I know, Angel.”
Awareness spun around her. She was nearly bursting at the seams, overrun with emotion, falling so fast. Could she ever enter into a partnership with a man like him? Could she feel safe enough to be vulnerable and share her body again? Could she rely on Bently when things got hard? Only time would tell.
“I better go start a fire to keep you warm,” Bently said kissing her forehead before he unwrapped himself from her.
“Do you need help?”
“Nah, I got this. You feel free to relax. You can go for a walk to the edge of the lake, but don’t go too far. There are bears around here. Shouldn’t bother you, but just to be safe, don’t wander off without me.”
She had no intention of setting foot outside the door alone. But the concern he voiced for her brought a surge of intensity inside as another piece of her broken heart locked into place.
At least for now, he was her protector.
Chapter 30
Bently
“S’mores?” Belle asked excitedly.
“Of course.” Bently smiled, handing her a stick with a marshmallow on the other end. They sat side by side facing the crackling fireplace.
He placed his marshmallow into the flame, gently browning the outside. She eagerly followed his example.
Flames lit up around her confection. “Oh no!”
He reached out, enveloping her hand in his, guiding the marshmallow out of the fire before he blew on it.
She laughed. “Is that supposed to happen?”
He shrugged. “You gotta keep it moving not too close to the flames or else it will burn. But some people like the charcoal taste.”
He held the cracker and chocolate out to make her s’more before preparing his own. “Ready to taste?”
She nodded, and he bit into the crunchy, gooey, chocolatey goodness as she did the same.
Sweetness and richness exploded on his taste buds. She smiled and licked the sticky treat from her lips, sending a bolt of lust through his system. Want and need throbbed within him. “Is it as good as you’d hoped?”
She grinned. “Better.”
He brushed his thumb across her chin, wiping away a string of marshmallow. He sucked it off. “Delicious.”
Her eyes darkened. She cleared her throat. “So, uh, how’s your family doing?”
He chuckled. “Good. Well, Andre seems to be avoiding me lately. Either that or Mia is keeping him busy.”
“She seemed like a spitfire when I formally met her at the harvest dinner.”
“Yeah. And Mikel and Remy are great. Jasmine . . . well, she’s just taking life one day at a time.”
“Does the baby’s father help her at all?” Belle asked.
Bently sighed.
“I’m sorry. You don’t have to answer that. It’s none of my business.” She shook her head and stared back into the fire. The shadows of orange flames danced across her brown skin, painting her in soft lights. She was stunning. Breathtaking.
He weaved his fingers through hers. “It’s fine. Jaz won’t even tell me who the father is.”
“She probably has a good reason, then.”
He looked up at her, his eyebrows rising. “Maybe you’re right. I just wish she’d tell me if the bastard hurt her.” His grip tightened.
“Sometimes, it isn’t that easy.” Her voice soothed him.
He nodded.
“Let’s go see those stars you promised me.” She led the way into the room, climbing under the covers.
Bently lay next to her, pulling her against his chest like that was where she’d belonged all along.
He’d been right. Thousands of stars scattered across the dark sky—wisps of clouds like ghosts haunting the heavens.
“Do you know any constellations?” she asked.
“Nah, that’s Mikel’s territory. All I know is the Big and Little Dipper.”
Her head rose ever so slightly with each of his inhales. Her breath synced with his as if they were one. His hand stroked her back. They lay like that, enjoying the view in silence. He closed his eyes, savoring the moment. Her closeness blanketed him with peace, lulling him into sleep.
***
After preparing a tray with eggs, bacon, and toast, he added a cup of coffee with the creamer she liked so much. He walked into the room as she stretched out her arms, yawning. Warm sunshine cascaded down on her, making her glow as if she was truly an ethereal creature sent to earth for his redemption. Since when did he believe he was worth saving?
“Good
