Free True Nature by Willow Madison Page B

sorta thing..." I'm really uncomfortable now, I drop his gaze and take another sip, turning towards the view.
    He stands behind me like earlier, pressing me into the low wall. He pulls me towards him with his arm around my chest, holding my left shoulder. I can feel his heart beating against my back. "I know this may be too soon to have this conversation, Lucy." He takes a deep breath, my body moving with his. "But I want you to know that you're special. I haven't felt this in a long time...how I feel about you. I think we could have something very special if you're willing to give it a chance."
    I'm floored. Speechless. He is definitely more direct than any other guy I've ever known. I turn around to face him and am surprised at how stern his face looks, jaw set, eyes piercing. "I really like you too, Max." It sounds so lame, but I'm uncertain of saying anything else. That feeling in my stomach has returned...the lust.
    He lifts my chin with one finger up to him. "I want you all to myself."
    I just blink in response, unable to think of what to say. We did just sleep together...but, we hardly know each other. "You hardly know me."
    "And I want the chance for us to get to know each other without...distractions." His finger continues holding my head up.
    "You aren't seeing other women?" I try for an accusatory tone, but fall short, I can hear the hope in my voice.
    "Not since I met you."
    "Well...you made it sound like you date around alot."
    He takes my hand and leads me over to a u-shaped sectional in the middle of the terrace. He pulls me onto his lap. His left arm rests behind me, his right hand goes under my shirt and holds my hip. The intimacy of his touch and this conversation continue to make me squirm.
    His fingers squeeze into my hip a little more. "My last serious relationship was about five years ago. I've dated a lot of women since then." He pauses to smile, to take the sting out of his words. "But I haven't truly cared about anyone. A date was just a woman to take to an event or spend a little time with...no one that I've truly been myself with. Does that make sense to you?"
    "Yes..."
    "And I see in you...someone I want to spend alot of time with...that I want to be myself with you." He says this like it holds a different meaning for him, a significance I'm not getting. His eyes staring for an answer in mine.
    "What do you mean...be yourself? How are you different with me?" I brush a wave away from his eyes, staring into the stark green.
    "I have certain...beliefs...in how it should be between us." The confused look on my face must have been enough for him to continue trying to explain. "I want more from you, so I'm willing to put in more effort to have you. That's how it's different with you...for me."
    "I...I...I really like you, too, Max." I falter in trying to match his honesty. "And I haven't been this excited about a guy in a long time too.  My last real boyfriend was two years ago, so I don't jump into relationships...or bed...with just anyone." I finish with a small laugh, trying to lighten our talk.
    "Good. I don't think you'll believe this...but I do know you, Lucy...I believe I know the real you...the one you may hide from others, but not from me... the one you showed me last night."
    I blush at this...so he does remember everything we said too. "So...what...after only a couple of dates...you want to be exclusively dating?" This whole conversation seems surreal...isn't it usually the girl who pushes for commitment?!
    "Yes." I wait for him to say more, but he just keeps holding my gaze.
    "Oh." I have no idea what to say.
    "Stop thinking so much...and just tell me how you feel." His crooked grin is in place again. My back relaxes at seeing this.
    "I'd like to see where this goes with us, too."
    "Good." He lightly slaps the side of my butt and hip. "Then it's settled. No more friends of friends, sorta seeing other guys."
    "...And no meaningless dates with other girls for you?" I poke his chest.
    He pulls