Free One Heart to Give (Heart's Intent Book 1) by Dawn Brower

are you here, Ren?”
    “You didn’t come by my office,” he accused. “Why are you avoiding me?”
    She turned her back to him and paced in the small room. He let her work through her thoughts and waited as patiently as possible. It was killing him to watch her as if the walls were closing in on them both. Why was she so nervous?
    “I’m sorry. That couldn’t be helped.” She stopped and stared up at him. “I had to leave.”
    He didn’t doubt that. Why she felt she had to was the reason he was standing before her. She didn’t offer up any excuses. Stated it plainly and offered it up to him to accept or not. Well, he didn’t accept it. Dani damn well was going to quit running from him.
    “I see.” He tilted his head. “I’m here now, so we can talk about a few things.”
    Ren had a lot to say to her. The problem was he had no clue where to begin. Did he start at the beginning—when she’d run away the first time—or did he start now in their present? He glanced at her and he could see a hint of fear on her face. Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. He wished he could allow her to retreat. Hurting her had always pained him, but he was tired of the ache that filled him.
    “I fail to see what we could possibly have to discuss.” She glared at him. “If this doesn’t concern Matt, we don’t have any business with each other.”
    She was trying to compartmentalize him. Pushing him into a box of things to avoid forever and only take out when necessary. He’d be damned if he’d allow it. They were more than acquaintances. He stalked forward and stopped directly in front of her. There was no space separating them. All he would have to do was reach out and pull her into his arms. Ren doubted she’d fight him. “There’s plenty we need to discuss.” He let his gaze roam hotly over her face and rest on her lips. He raised his hand and skimmed it down her arm. She shivered under his touch. What would she do if he kissed her? “Why don’t we start with this.”
    He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. A spark of heat rushed through him. Dani leaned into him, giving him permission to pull her into his embrace. Ren wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss. Their tongues touched lightly. A rush of desire flooded him. He couldn’t get enough of her sweet taste. Why had he put this off? Kissing Dani was everything he’d ever imagined it to be. Ren never wanted to stop.
    Dani pulled back and stared into his eyes. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
    He disagreed. The kiss was long overdue. “I should have done it ten years ago.”
    She shook her head and took a step back. “The past needs to stay there. Don’t bring up things we can’t change.”
    He hadn’t imagined her reaction. She’d wanted that kiss as much as he had. Why did she keep pushing him away? There was an undeniable attraction between them. Maybe she didn’t love him, but at least now he had something to work with. She could try to put him into a neat box. Ren wouldn’t fit in it, and he’d do everything in his power to make her finally see him and what he really wanted from her. He loved her and wanted a chance to have more. To learn who she’d become over the past ten years and build a life together.
    “You’re right,” he agreed. “We can’t go back and change our past mistakes. All we can do is move forward from this point and see where it leads us.”
    She frowned. “What do you want from me?”
    He wanted it all. Everything she had to offer and then some. Mostly he wanted her. “I think that’s pretty obvious.”
    She closed her eyes and took two deep breaths. When she opened them she said, “I don’t know what to say to you. Nothing is apparent or understood.”
    Ren studied her. Was she that oblivious to the feelings pouring out of him? How much clearer did she want him to be? “How can I make you see?” He took a step toward her. Ren lifted his hand and caressed her cheek. “I want to explore