Chapter 15

Still holding my hand, Devon stepped down from the step, and stood beside me. “What are you afraid of, T.J.?”

I stared out at a long stretch of darkness, to the light of the moon shimmering across the lake. I didn’t answer.

“If you’re worried about us—”

“I’m not,” I said. “I’m sorry. Everything is just happening so fast.”

“This is only a friendly visit between friends.”

“It feels like more than that to me.”

“How do you feel?”

“Anxious.”

“Am I making you nervous?”

“It’s not you,” I said.

“Then what?”

“Intimacy. Rejection,” I blurted.

The refreshing scent of lilacs coasted across the dry summer air.

“Are you scared of commitment?” Devon asked.

I nodded and as his chin nuzzled the back of my head, I felt my heart racing.

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want,” he said, his gruff voice intoxicating, making me weak-kneed. “I brought you here to show you my life and who I am.”

I sighed.

“We could sit out here and talk,” he said. “It’s a beautiful night.”