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I hadn’t let him. I wasn’t usually that kind of girl and I didn’t want to become one now. I had a long-standing attraction to him and between that and the heightened emotion of the day, I’d pulled him in and acted like a wild woman, which I most certainly was not.
    “I know what you must think, after the way I acted that night, but I’m not like that, not really. I don’t want you to think that something like that is going to happen again.”
    His fingers brushed along my cheek as he looked deeper into my eyes.
    “I don’t think you’re like anything. I’ve known you for a few years, but I can still remember the moment we met. I remember the long red skirt you had on. Your beautiful hair was loose, hanging down your back and your eyes sparkled with happiness as you laughed because of something Nolan had just said. You were - are - the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I was attracted to you immediately, but over the years, I’ve watched you and that attraction has only grown. Now, it isn’t only your amazing beauty, but the woman you are that has my full attention.”
    I’d been wrong. It wasn’t only when he was angry that Jake could be long winded. What he’d said was wonderful, was I wrong about him, about what he felt for me?
    “I can’t do the one-night stand thing, Jake, it just isn’t in me.” His body tensed immediately when I finished talking.
    “I never wanted a one-night stand, Hope. I tried to talk to you the next day, but you dodged my calls. You’ve been avoiding me for weeks.”
    “I was embarrassed.” My whispered words belayed the tremble in my voice and the hesitation of the confession.
    Tightening his arms around me again, he pulled me closer again. Speaking now, into the top of my head; “We need to figure out why you so easily feel shame for things, especially things you shouldn’t.”
    I closed my eyes, knowing exactly where that nasty habit came from. I shook my head slightly, not wanting to delve into that mess.
    “Stay with me, Hope. I want to keep you safe and I want to see if I can break those walls of yours down. Will you let me try?”
    “Yeah,” my capitulation was quiet, but the joy and excitement made me feel like my insides were jumping up and down with glee. I wanted to see where things could go between us, I wanted Jake to keep me safe from my crazy ex. I wanted him to hold me, just like this forever, but I didn’t trust it, didn’t believe something so beautiful could be meant for me.
    Dragging me along with him, Jake stood from the couch and guided me to my room. I stiffened and he chuckled at my obvious concern.
    “Just packing a bag, that’s all we’re doing.” Relief swept over me and I relaxed again.
     
    A couple of hours later, I was settled in Jake’s guest room. It could only be considered a guest room because it had a bed. Otherwise, it appeared to be a man’s catchall room. I could see the various sports equipment, his desk and laptop and a huge TV on the wall.  It matched the overall look of his house. There wasn’t any decorating style, no personal items displayed, but it was clean.
    Settling in, I’d arranged my things, and got ready for bed, found my book and got under the covers to read a while until sleep would finally overtake me. I noticed a movement by the door and saw Jake there, leaning against the frame. I didn’t know how long he’d been standing there, but his eyes were liquid, lazy blue pools and totally focused on me. I couldn’t imagine what he was thinking at that point, but whatever it was, it was good.
    Striding toward me, he leaned over me, braced a hand on each side of my body, and leaned down so his face was just inches from mine. In my nervousness, my tongue swiped out and licked my bottom lip, his eyes caught the movement and his eyes went from lazy to hot in an instant.
    “I came in to say goodnight,” he growled, in a low sexy voice, making my entire body tremble with desire.
    “Goodnight,” I