Chapter 25

He stepped closer. “You think I didn’t see that hungry look you gave me that first day in the introductory meeting? It may have been brief, but I caught it. You want me, but you’re denying yourself.” He stepped even closer. “Why?”

I turned my head and gazed across the parking lot. “I can be attracted to someone and still say ‘no.’ Choice is a thing, you know.”

Titus moved close enough that our chests touched. I breathed him in, unwillingly. “Look at me, Ed.” When I didn’t, he grabbed my chin and turned my head. “What are you afraid of?”

I searched his eyes, hoping to find truth, to be able to trust him. I didn’t know if I could. “You have the power to hurt me, and I’ve endured enough of that in my life. One more time would likely break me for good. After what I’ve gone through, it would take something drastic for things to change.”

He hesitated a moment before cupping my cheek. “Take that leap, Ed. Let me kiss you. You’ll see.”