Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
“It can wait.” he pushes, his nose now only an inch from mine.
“No, really it can’t.”
“It can.” He says breathily. I feel it on my lips; my nose picks up mint, Nathan and coffee. I bet he’s delicious.
Using what small amount of willpower I have left, I stand and back away from him. My lips are tingling with the need to feel his. “This can’t happen. Ever.”
“Why?” He follows. I knew he would, but I prayed that he wouldn’t. Caging me in with his arms, he leans forward once more. Dear god. He’s relentless.
“I’m still seeing, Eric.” I blurt and my chest aches with a sharp pain when he immediately takes a step back, pain evident in his eyes.
“Then stop seeing Eric.” He bites out, running his hand through his hair. “Tell him you don’t want to see him anymore.” He waits for my agreement, his eyes narrowed in anger. After a moment of silence, his eyes widen in realisation. “You like him.”
Do I? I should like him. He’s a nice guy and he’s charming, funny and very sweet. He’s handsome and, sure, I’m attracted to him. Also, he’s not Caleb’s brother. “I’m just seeing where it goes.”
“Seeing where it goes.” He repeats in a quiet voice. Seconds later, his eyes come back to mine. “And the reason you’re choosing him?”
“Choosing?” Now I’m confused.
“Yes. You barely know him, whereas you know me very well. I’m offering you the same as he is, but with the guarantee of trust and respect. You already get both from me. You have done for a long time now.” All very valid points. His voice lowers and his eyes darken. “I won’t chase you, Guinevere. If this is a game you’re playing, don’t. Choose wisely.”
A game? “This isn’t a game.” I scoff, scowling at him. “How could you think that of me?”
“Because you still deny yourself the chance to be with the person you love, on the grounds of me being Caleb’s brother. Caleb, who is unfortunately deceased. Caleb, who would want you to be happy with the person you choose and you know it.”
“Love?” I blink in astonishment. “You think I love you?” I do, of course I do, but not in that way. Doesn’t he know that?
He looks at me, his eyes wary. “You don’t?”
“No.” Oh shit, why’d I have to say it like that? “I mean… not in that way.”
“In what way?”
Good question, “I don’t know.”
“Tell me, because you love Tommy right? And you don’t let him touch you the way you let me touch you.” He smiles smugly, but it falls at his own words. “Do you?”
Ewww. “No! Of course not.”
“Then explain what kind of love it is you have for me. It’s definitely not brotherly, not the kind of love you’d have for me if Caleb were alive.” This is also true. “So what is it?”
“It’s not enough!” I shout, my hands fisting by my sides. “It’s not enough.” I say softer this time.
“I’m not?”
“No, you are, but you’re just… it won’t work.”
He laughs coldly. “You haven’t tried.”
“I can’t look at you and not think of him!” I yell, my hand pointing to the picture on my nightstand. “And what you’re proposing is just too weird for me to fathom.”
“You’ll get used to it.” He grabs me, one hand on my cheek and the other on my shoulder. “We’ll get used to it together. Just try.”
“I can’t.” I snap. Why won’t he stop pushing?
“Tell me why!” He’s looking as angry and as irritated as I feel.
“Because I will never love you as much as I loved him!”
He rolls his eyes. “You’ll love me a different way. It’ll take time, but I’m willing to wait.” His hands go to my hips and pull me into him. “You’re already halfway there. Let me help you the rest of the way.”
“Stop it.” I try to shove against his chest, but he doesn’t let me. “Let me go.”
“Stop trying to pull away. Your excuses are feeble and you know it. Why won’t you let yourself be happy? Who cares that I’m his brother? You can’t help who you fall in love with.”
I want to kick him. Why won’t he stop? “I’m not in love with you.”
“That’s rubbish.” He grits out, pressing me into the door. “I don’t believe you. You’re running out of excuses.”
“I don’t want to be with you. It’s weird.”
“Another lie. Keep going. I want to keep ticking them off of the mental list in my head.” He presses his forehead to mine, his eyes shining with determination. “You want me; I know you do. You crave me almost as much as I crave you.”
“Shut up.” I plead, still pushing at him.
“Just admit it. We can date, take it at your speed. I’ll be patient; I won’t push you. You’ve got no excuse, just…”