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“Have a food with me and tell me more. Tell me everything.” “A food?” I laughed outright. “Any food. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. Or a drink. Coffee. Water. All of it at the same time.”
“Listen to me, young lady. There will always be someone who can’t see your worth. That’s a fact of life. Don’t let that someone be you. Got it?”
“Will this act of chivalry unbalance our scale?” I teased. “Very much so.” He anchored the bag over his shoulder. With a wink, he extended his fingers in my direction. “But you’ll hold my hand, and it will level again.”
We’ve already established one of your greatest weaknesses is your indecision. If a team trusts your character but not your commands, will you be an effective leader?”
In front of me, he clasped my fingers with his, surprising me. He maintained his hold as he lowered my arm, keeping us linked. We stared at each other, searching. “You don’t know me,” he repeated softly. “But would you like to?”
“You’re being kind, and it’s weird.” “You’re being enchanting, so I’m good with that.” He
I’ve come to accept three vital facts.” Voice as thick and smooth as honey, he said, “You don’t trust Cured, and you don’t trust me. But I want you anyway.”
“I’m no one special.” His frown contained a gentle rebuke. “Your response is an insult to us both.”
Since this is supposed to be practice for real dating, I should probably call you bunny baby boo. Or sugar bear. Honey buns.” “I’ll let you render the final verdict, but I’m partial to sugar bear.” He actually uttered those words with a straight face. “Don’t tempt me, Cyrus. I might do it.” “Tempting you is the whole point of this, Arden.”
Cyrus strode over and crouched beside me. “What do you have to say for yourself?” “You are an awful person,” I grumbled. He arched a brow, not the least bit apologetic. “Maybe now you’ll sleep when you’re told.” “Maybe now you’ll sleep when you’re told,” I mocked, and the corners of his mouth twitched. “Do you even hear yourself?”
I would tell you I wasn’t supposed to like you. Then you showed up wearing your pink running clothes, broadcasting all kinds of vulnerabilities. Afraid but determined. Unwaveringly loyal yet guarded. Serious while being exceptionally fun to tease.
He might be harsh, but parts of him appeared so soft. “I’d definitely wonder if you would kiss me if I trusted you.” His eyes smoldered. “I would move mountains to kiss you.” He gently pressed the pad of his thumb into the center of my lower lip and stroked, almost but not quite letting his finger slip inside my mouth.
“Venting might feel better in the moment, but the aftermath makes everything worse.” “I can’t feel worse!” I wrenched free of his clasp and beat his chest harder. “Very well.” Resolve infiltrated his tone. “Hit me and mean it or pull yourself together.”
“I’m not sure I will ever be able to trust you.” “Judge me by my fruit. An apple tree cannot produce oranges.”
I didn’t know why, but I felt lighter on my feet than I had in years. No, not true. I did know why. The kiss. His embrace. He’d helped me drain a thousand pounds of boiling frustration. I smiled as I gave his chin a chuck. “Stop being cute. It’s beneath you.”
“What are their names?” “Iris, Daisy, and Poppy,” he admitted, ducking his head. I laughed and snickered in equal measure. “You have a bouquet of cats. This might be my new favorite thing about you.” “Just wait until you see the tats.”
When you know the end from the beginning, there’s no reason to fret over the rest.” He almost grinned, I was sure of it. “Who even are you?” “Yours,”
“Please give me a second chance,” I repeated. And forgive me for what was to come. Another pause, this one almost more than I could bear. “Will you give me time to explain myself, if ever you doubt me again?” “I’ll never doubt you again,” I vowed in a rush. “You will. Many times.” “Then I’ll give you as much time as you need.” His gaze burned into mine. “Yes, I’ll give you a second and a third and a fourth chance.”
