First Rapture (The Rapture #1)(22)

His heart twisted, the familiar affection he’d always felt for this woman deepening into a richer, more lasting emotion.

Avoiding her wary gaze, Luc concentrated on unraveling her hair from the braid. “When I caught sight of you last night it all became clear.”

“What did?”

“Why I could never commit to another woman.” He unraveled the last of the braid and combed his fingers through the satin softness. His breath caught as a fierce arousal slammed into him. Oh…man. Just being near this woman was enough to make him hard with need. The sooner he had her in his arms, the better. “And why I kept such a close watch on your career,” he continued, leaning even closer. “And why I felt as if I’d been living my life in black and white until you walked onto that balcony and filled the night with beauty.”

He was near enough to see her eyes darken at his soft words. Of course, her expression remained stubbornly defensive.

Nothing about Madison Philips would ever be easy.

And he didn’t give a shit.

He would give whatever necessary to make her happy.

“Did you practice that?” she tried to mock, grimacing as her words came out as a husky whisper.

“You want it in simple terms?” he asked, his expression somber. “I never stopped regretting walking away from you. And now that you’re back I’m never letting you go again.”

Her lips parted at his blunt warning, the pulse at the base of her neck fluttering at a rapid beat.

“Luc.”

Luc sucked in a deep breath. It was now or never.

Unless he overcame his aversion to making himself vulnerable, then she was going to walk away.

“I love you, Maddy.”

The hazel eyes widened, her shock tangible in the close confines of the car. “You can’t,” she breathed.

He lifted his brows. “I can’t?”

She gave a restless shrug. “You barely know me.”

Luc gave a laugh at her ridiculous words.

“I’ve known you all my life,” he reminded her, able to recall the precise minute he’d glanced down the hall of their school to see those big, beautiful hazel eyes focused on him. At the time he hadn’t understood why he’d felt as if he’d been struck by lightning. Or why he’d always checked the stands before he jogged onto the football field to make sure she was seated in her familiar spot. He’d always been aware that she was a constant backdrop in his life. “I know you have a generous heart despite the hardships you were forced to endure, you have endless courage, and an independent spirit that I deeply admire.” His fingers slid out of her hair to lightly trace the line of her stubborn jaw. “Everything else we’ll discover during our future together.”

She shivered beneath his light caress, but she made no protest to pull away. “Future?”

He leaned forward, pressing a soft, lingering kiss on her lips. “A very long future.”

Her hands lifted to lie against his chest, her breath coming in tiny pants between her parted lips.

“Are you asking me to…” She had to stop to clear her throat. “To marry you?”

He pulled back with a wry smile.

He didn’t blame her for the disbelief in her expression.

Hell, his own mother would be shocked when he confessed he was ready to give up his bachelor days and take a wife.

And his father…

No. He gave a shake of his head.

He wasn’t anything like his father.

He only needed one woman to make him happy.

“Eventually,” he hedged, not wanting to terrify her into bolting. “First I just want the opportunity to prove I’m no longer that stupid kid who hurt you.” He cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his pleading gaze. “Will you give me a chance?”

“I…” His heart halted as she hesitated, panicked by the thought she might say no. Dammit. He was going to lock her in his bedroom until she accepted he’d never meant to hurt her.

Then, without warning, her hazel eyes warmed with an emotion that sent hope sizzling through his body. “Yes.”

A dizzying relief exploded through Luc. “Thank god.” Framing her face in his hands, he covered her lips in a desperate kiss, nipping her full bottom lip in punishment for terrifying him. He moaned as she readily melted against him, his erection thickening as he wrapped his arms around her. His tongue dipped into the warm wetness of her mouth, tasting her passion as she grabbed his T-shirt and tried to drag him closer. He growled in frustration as the console kept them separated, the heat of the sun already making the air uncomfortably hot. “Damn…” he muttered, reluctantly lifting his head to study her face that was now flushed with desire. “This car wasn’t made for making love to my woman.”

A tiny smile curved her lips. “Your woman?”

“Mine,” he growled with full male possession.

She kissed the tip of his chin. “I like that.”

So did he.

A lot.

“Are you going to tell me what you’re doing here?” he demanded, nuzzling a path of kisses down her throat.

She tilted back her head, offering him better access. “When I was seventeen, Kristen stole a bottle of tequila and brought it to the trailer,” she murmured, clearly distracted as his tongue teased the pulse that pounded at the base of her neck.