Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(80)

—my own personal flower to devour. Shit, that’s a little weird. She’d run scared if she could read my thoughts right now. But

damn! I’ve never been with a genuine girl, never stopped to have a real conversation aside from how much I could spend on them.

There’s never been a girl I actually cared about, let alone one who burrowed their way into my soul like Laney.

As much as I can’t stand the thought of Evan, I do respect and feel for the guy. He, too, had taken his time with sweet Laney, a

poor sap not unlike me, just basking in any time spent with her. Now he’s suffering the effects of not having her near him at all.

I can’t imagine the misery. Heartbreak was evident in his voice when he’d called. I saw how he looked at her that night. I don’t

envy him in many ways, but in so many other ways I do.

He has her past. Her secrets. Her memories. He’s still the luckiest bastard I don’t know.

Terrified, I answer her, “Tell me, baby, anything.” She’s chewing her lip nervously and I want to be her lip more than I want my

next breath.

“I’m, well, I’m a little nervous.” She shifts to angle herself away from me and her precious little chin quivers just a bit,

drawing a twitch from me. “I’m not ready to have sex yet, and I...”

She’s the most charming thing I have ever seen. I want her, like “I’d gladly gnaw off my own arm but for the chance” want her,

but there’ll be no rushing. I want her to give herself to me when she’s completely sure— positive she never wants anyone but me,

forever.

Insane? Yes, but I’ve given up even trying to make sense of it. The fact is, I’m tore up crazy about Laney, starting about five

minutes after I met her, and it’s not going away. She’s my counterpart on every level— physically, emotionally, intellectually,

musically—and I know she feels it, too. She calms when I touch her. She relaxes when I whisper to her. I am now the comfort she

seeks. There’s nothing in the whole world I’d rather be, and for no one else. When something big or funny happens, I’m who she

calls to tell all about it and Lord knows I live for each time she does, hanging on her every word.

“Baby, hear me on this.” I angle my head and wait for her big beautiful brown eyes to finally meet mine. “I’m not just looking

for that, Laney. I don’t want you to think that’s what I’m expecting every time I touch you, okay?”

“Okay.” Who does she think she’s kidding? She doesn’t believe me.

“No, baby, it’s not okay for you not to believe me or be nervous at my touch. I want to do whatever you want, nothing more and

nothing less. Especially nothing less.” I wink to let her know I’m almost completely kidding. “Don’t hold back or give in with

me, Laney. Do or don’t do what feels right to you, always. I’m following your lead, baby and I’m more than okay with whatever

you decide.”

Now she knows I mean it. I see the minute she accepts and trusts my words; her face is like a book.

“There’s something else, too, but I don’t want you to get upset if I’m honest with you.” And we’ve officially hit her point

of retreat for the night. She’s now staring down into the water, putting her top back on, chewing that succulent bottom lip.

I know what she’s going to say. She feels guilty about Evan; he obviously did something very right. I can only pray that she one

day worries about me like she does him. “I know you worry about hurting him, baby. That heart of yours is admirable, but you’re

not cheating, Laney. You’re not his anymore and you told him what’s up.”

She nods and gives me a small smile, but I know it’s time to pull back. Her body language is screaming to give her more time, more

space. As much as she wants to, she can’t get out of her own head long enough to accept the connection between us. It will be my

pleasure to help her with that. Slowly but surely, I will make her mine.

“Tell you what...” I move stealthy, closing in on her. “Let’s get you to bed. I brought you here to rest, remember?” I cup her

cheek, turning her face to me. Now I get a real smile, which almost makes it worth the incredible case of blue balls I’ll have to

suffer through.

She laughs and shakes her head, causing her golden hair to bounce off her shoulders.

“What’s so funny?” I ask her with a curious raise of my brow.

“I just, I don’t get it. You’re amazing, Dane. Gorgeous, thoughtful, talented...why do you go out of your way to take care of

me? I do nothing for you physically and I’m always worried about another guy. You have to know you could do so much better than

me.” She chews her bottom lip and I fist my hands, fighting the urge to dive into her. “I know, we’ve been through this, but you

deserve to be happy. Letting me ride your lap and going to bed with nothing can’t possibly make you happy.”

Her gaze is down, as though ashamed, and her blush is beautiful. She’s worried about my dick? Yeah, that’s pretty important, but

she has no clue it bothers me a million times worse to know she still loves Evan, at least in some way. She talks to him every day.