Free Fears and Scars by Emily Krat Page B

lips trailing along the skin under my ear. I smile and bury my face in his neck for a long moment. With his scent surrounding me, my legs wrapped around him, and his arms cradling me against him, it feels like we’re intertwined. I don’t want to move, ever.
    As our breathing grows more controlled, Ryan slowly lowers me to my feet. The movement is unhurried as he gently slips out of me as if he doesn’t want to do it.
    My legs feel limp when I try to stand. Seeing my unsteadiness, he wraps one solid arm around my waist, locking it there as he quickly rearranges his jeans with the other one.
    “I’ve got you, baby,” he says, tenderness and love mixed with satisfaction in his gaze.
    He lifts me up in his arms as if I weigh nothing, carries me over to our bed, lowers me down, and cradles me against his side.
    As we regain our senses, my fingers trail up and down Ryan’s ribs in the same rhythm as his caress my back.
    “I meant what I said. I’d never choose anyone over you, and your friendship’s enough for me. More than enough,” I reassure him. “If you ask, I’ll tell David to leave in a heartbeat—”
    “I won’t ask, baby. If you need to talk to him …”
    I hate the hurt I see in his eyes. I would be hurt too if I thought he’d rather talk with his ex than me.
    “I don’t need him, Ryan. I … I feel guilty and obligated. I know I shouldn’t, and it sounds silly after what he did to me, but I feel like I somehow lead him on all these years. He had real feelings for me that I could never reciprocate. Plus, David was a good friend to me for many years and my dad and mom loved him like he was their son. I feel like I owe it to them to try to make the friendship work or at least to say a proper good-bye. I don’t want to dishonor their memory.”
    Ryan is silent for a moment, and I search for more words to explain those lunches and the guilt I feel.
    Before I can come up with something, he kisses the tip of my nose and gives me a small smile. “Okay. I still don’t like it and don’t completely get your reasons, but I respect your decision. I’m fine with it as long as he doesn’t touch a single hair on your body. If he makes a move, all bets are off.”
    “He won’t. I won’t let him make a move. And I’m sorry for not realizing I was hurting you. I promise to sort this out soon and not to see him alone again.”
    “I trust you, baby. Do whatever you need.”
    I wrap my arms around his neck and brush my lips softly against his. Ryan threads his fingers through my hair and deepens the kiss. When I feel his erection against my thigh, I pull away. We still have things to discuss.
    “I’m still angry at you, mister.”
    “For telling Mark how I feel about Young?”
    “Yeah. It would have been nice to know how you felt.”
    “I didn’t mean to hide it from you. I’m a man. I’m not a fan of talking about feelings.”
    “All that macho bullshit isn’t an excuse, Ryan Price. Sharing your feelings and opinion with me is a part of a healthy relationship. Plus, I’m angry you shut me out. You don’t get to put your walls back up when you aren’t happy with something I do.”
    “I wasn’t putting anything up.” After I give him a narrowed glare, Ryan looks away and admits in a quick manner, “All right, maybe I was. It’s just … I thought you were choosing him over …”
    Cradling his face in my palms and satisfied with Ryan’s eyes on mine, I say, “I wasn’t. You’re my soul, honey. My heart. I will choose you always. Only you. I want to ask you something—whatever it is, whatever you’re feeling, please don’t keep it from me.”
    “Okay.”
    After a quick kiss, he asks me, “Are you really moving in?”
    “I am.”
    My heart swells when a toothy smile breaks out across his face. “I even told Nina to look for a roommate. She’s going to think about it. And I know all about you bribing her. You’ll have to pay for that, mister.”
    He smirks. “I’m happy to