by Kit Kyndall
She stiffened against him suddenly, apparently waking up. She struggled to turn, and he pressed his hand a little more firmly against her stomach, keeping her against him. “Hush, it’s just me. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Dalton, what are you doing in my bed? If your dad or my mom catch you—”
He ran his hand up and down her stomach in a soothing fashion. “It’s okay. I won’t stay all night. I just want to hold you.”
She snorted. “Yeah, right.”
Dalton kept his voice gentle, striving to convey sincerity. “I mean it. I just want to feel you in my arms. No ulterior motives, and I’m not here for sex. I just want to hold you like this.”
She remained stiff for a moment, but she gradually relaxed against him. “Okay, but it doesn’t change anything. I’m still not choosing anyone or breaking up with them for you.”
“I guess I’m not asking you to.” He inched his hand under the hem of her spaghetti strap tank top to splay his hand against her bare flesh instead. “I’m not thrilled with the idea of sharing, but I guess I’ve realized it’s the only way I get a chance to be with you.”
“It’s not like you can seduce me away from them and convince me to change my mind.” Her voice was rich with warning. “If you really want to date me, it has to be with the understanding that I’m not choosing. You can’t change my mind on that, okay?”
He let out a sigh. “I understand. I’m not an idiot.” She snorted, but he let that slide. “I might’ve acted like an idiot sometimes, but I’m not. I understand what the terms are, and I’m agreeing to them. I want to be with you badly enough that I’m willing to try sharing you.”
“Oh.” She went still and didn’t speak again.
Unsettled by her silence, he said, “Oh is all you have say?”
After a moment, she turned in his arms when he loosened them enough to let her. She was looking into his eyes now, and it felt like she was drilling into his soul. “Do you really mean that you’re willing to try sharing me?”
He nodded, not looking away from her gaze.
“Then okay. But I’ll only date you if you’re a decent human being, Dalton. You seem like maybe you could be, but if any of the old Dalton returns, it’s over. I can’t handle the mean, bullying side of you and still nurture any kind of emotions besides irritation or hatred.”
“Haven’t you ever heard not to get involved with a guy if you’re expecting him to change?” Was he actually warning her? Did he feel so protective of her that he wanted to warn her away from himself? He shook his head at his own foolishness. Maybe he was an idiot.
She licked her lips. “I’ve heard that, and I believe it too. I’m skeptical about your claims, but I’m willing to give you a chance to prove you’re really changing. If you decide it’s too much pressure, you can tell me any time that you’re out. I won’t like it, especially if I’ve gotten close to you, but I’m not going to try to force you to change. And I’d rather you be honest than lie or try to fool me.”
“I haven’t exactly changed, but you make me more aware of my behavior, and I realize I need to be a better person. I’m not just saying that to convince you.” He felt raw at the admission, but he couldn’t hold back if he wanted her to believe he was really reevaluating everything because of her.
Her mouth softened into a smile, and she lifted a hand to run through his hair. “I believe you. You seem genuine, and maybe I’m a fool for believing you, but I don’t think you’re lying to me. So, let’s see where things go, okay?”
He smiled, exhaling heavily in relief. “For now, let’s just go to sleep.” She snuggled closer, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I could get used to holding you in my arms like this.”
She murmured something before stretching against him. “I could get used to it too. Good night, Dalton.”
“Good night, Candace.” He kissed her forehead again before closing his eyes and forcing himself to stop thinking about the temptation of her flesh against his. He came here to hold her, and that was what he intended to do. He intended to hold onto her by proving he was changing. He would deal with jealousy as it arose, but he didn’t want to think about that right now. He just wanted to enjoy having her to himself for a few quiet hours.
“December” is coming soon.
In the BriarEdge series:
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
About Kit Kyndall
Kit Kyndall is the pen name USA Today bestselling author Kit Tunstall uses when writing contemporary erotic romances. It’s simply a way to separate the myriad types of stories she writes so readers know what to expect with each “author.”
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