Page 70 of Inexplicable

Looking back, that relationship had been tepid and lackluster compared to the Technicolor, heart-pounding, splendid relationship I was creating with Brock.

I was falling for this man, and I knew it.

While that was a little terrifying because it had never happened before, I wasn’t going to run away from it.

I never wanted to be lonely again now that I’d met my person.

The one guy who was worth the risk of letting him in.

I lifted my hand to stroke his stubbled jawline. “I’m not going to give up, either. I’ve never felt this way before. You make me happy.”

And that was a very big deal.

I’d spent most of my life settling for contentment in my personal life.

Acceptance.

Sometimes loneliness.

After getting a taste of real happiness, I didn’t ever want to live with mediocre again.

“Making you happy is my goal, baby,” he said in an earnest voice.

“I know,” I said in a barely audible voice. “And you have no idea how strangely wonderful that is for me. I care about your happiness, too.”

“That’s obvious,” he replied. “You came here to take care of me and you’re still trying to take care of me. You made an effort to make my friends your friends, and I know that wasn’t easy for you in the beginning because you’re used to having your solitude.”

I smiled. “They’re my friends now, too,” I told him. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think I was lonely before I came here, Brock. I felt like that loneliness was my fate because of my trust issues.”

“And now?” he asked huskily.

“I think I’m learning that it’s okay to trust the right people. The risk is worth the reward. I’m not going to lie, it was a little uncomfortable for me while I was figuring that out sometimes, but I think I could always sense the goodness in your team and Sara. They’re pretty hard not to like. I also think I’m going to hate it when my life goes back to normal in California.”

I’d just posted my second blog article since my kidnapping, and that had reminded me that my life would go back to my normal routine soon.

But maybe it wouldn’t be exactly like it had been before.

Brock would still be in my life, and I’d always have my friends here even if I didn’t see them every day.

I’d never really been a texter except for occasionally with Nina, but I now had Brock and all my new friends in my phone. Sara texted every single day and we had a running conversation. Nate, Gage, and Seth checked in with me sometimes.

Certainly things would be a little different for me because I had all of these incredible people in my life now.

“Does that trust extend to me?” Brock asked hoarsely.

I didn’t answer immediately.

Intimate relationships were a big issue for me, and I always wanted to be honest with Brock.

“I usually run away at a certain point in a relationship. I even did that with my first boyfriend,” I confessed. “I get so far and then I just throw up a wall because I can’t continue. I’m not running this time, Brock. My old counselor used to tell me that I just hadn’t met the right guy. I’m thinking she could be right. I’m pushing my boundaries right now, and it’s a little scary, but I’m not going anywhere.”

Truthfully, I didn’t think it would be possible for me to run this time, unless Brock gave me a very good reason to do it.

The man was nearly perfect.

And, oh Lord, the chemistry between the two of us was irresistible.

The night before we’d left on our road trip had made me realize that I’d never known the kind of sensual pleasure that could shake me to my core before.