Shane

Like the love-smitten fool I am, I take the steps up to her apartment two at a time, fully aware of the ridiculous smile I can’t keep off my face. I still can’t believe she said yes to giving us a chance! A girl like Becca falling for someone like me, especially when just a week ago I didn’t think I had a shot, it’s incredible. That she feels that same indomitable pull that’s had me tied up in knots since I saw her that first day of school is as much a relief as it is unbelievable. And that she thinks I’m the one who’s too good for her? Downright insane, considering she’s the paragon of all things beautiful.

Knocking on her door, I wait with bated breath, eager to see her again. To touch her. To run my fingers through that silky brown hair as I lean down to taste that sensuous mouth I can’t get enough of. Shaking my head, I laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. As the only son of Edward Montgomery, I was trained since birth to be deliberate in my thoughts and actions. Taught to not make a move, a single decision, without weighing the consequences and ensuring the outcome benefited not only me but the family name.

“Think with your head, not with your heart.” My father’s words run through my mind just as the door to her apartment opens and I’m greeted by the sight of those hazel eyes that convey her every emotion and those lips that can’t help but utter her every thought. For the first time in a long while, both my mind and heart are in agreement. Father may not see things my way at first, but I’m certain that over time I can convince him I’ll be a better man because of her.

“Shane? What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to see my girlfriend. Word is she’s got this big presentation due tomorrow.” I step closer, leaning my arms against the door frame, and smile down at her. “Figured I’d show up tonight to feed her dinner and offer my services as a mock audience member. In short, I’m here for you.” When she drops her eyes, her cheeks turn a bright shade of pink. “Will you let me in, pretty girl?”

Like she’s only now noticed she’s blocking my path, she takes a step back. Shutting the door behind me, I lock it. When I turn, I find her still standing there, arms wrapped around herself, looking as uncertain as ever.

“Come here,” I put my arms out, and like she can’t help it, she sinks into my embrace. God, I’ll never tire of this. Inhaling deeply, I take in her fresh, fruity scent. A mixture of cherries, berries, and vanilla. The need to taste her is so damn overwhelming, but I settle for a kiss on the top of her head.

“What is it? Are you upset I’m here?”

“It’s not that, I just… you’ve already done so much for me, Shane. I-I’m not used to this.”

“Not used to what? Having someone look out for you? Taking care of you?”

“Yes!” She pulls back and looks up at me with that fire and tenacity she so easily shows the rest of the world, yet somehow struggles to maintain around me. “I’ve set my life up, so I don’t need anyone, Shane. I can take care of myself. I’ve proven it time and time again since moving out of my aunt and uncle’s house four months ago.”

Cupping the sides of her face, I douse the flames of her frustration with a kiss that sets my heart ablaze. As always, she rewards me with that sexy little gasp that’s like a prelude to the passion that ignites between us the instant we touch. Tangling my fingers into the back of her hair, I tilt her head up, ready to deepen the kiss, but before I get the chance, her tongue curls around mine in a move that makes my knees go weak. Damn, she can kiss. While innocent on the outside, there’s a sexy siren lurking within her, and I’m the helpless fool, desperate and willing to sink under her spell if only to extend the seconds she allows us to come together like this.

With a pained groan, I bring the kiss to an end. As much as I want more—so much more—this is not why I’m here. “I know you can take care of yourself, pretty girl. You’re strong. Driven. Capable. A damn good kisser,” I smile wide when that blush I love so much travels up from her neck to her cheeks. “I’m not here because you need my help, but because I want to be there for you. Let me do this, Becca. Let me take care of you the only way I know how.”

She searches my eyes for a heartbeat, both of us seemingly unable to breathe as we wait for her to decide. Behind it all, I see her desire to trust me, battling with that part of her who’s so obviously been scarred by those too careless to see how fragile my strong, willful Becca is inside.

“Okay,” she sighs. “I’m sorry. For losing my temper.”

Chuckling, I lean down to brush my lips against hers. “You’re sexy as hell when you lose your temper, pretty girl, so don’t you dare apologize for it. Now,” I pull back, taking her by the hand and leading her to the couch, where the laptop I lent her is sitting open on the coffee table. To see my computer here, in her space, and knowing she’s been using it, soothes that part of me that’s eager and desperate to provide for her. To take care of her and attend to her every need. “Time to work. We have a presentation in need of perfecting.”

For the next couple of hours, we sit side by side, her diligently splitting her attention between the computer screen and the notecards she’s preparing for the presentation. It takes far more effort than I care to admit to focus on my own work. Like my senses are attuned to her, every sound, every breath, every movement she makes pulls my attention back to her.

These feelings and emotions that have rendered me incapable of staying away from her for the past four months are insane. We’ve been in the same schools our entire lives, so what is it about this year that I’m so suddenly and inexplicably drawn to her? It’s a mystery. One I spent months trying to work out until this weekend when I finally kissed her, and now that she’s agreed to give us a chance, I don’t dare question it anymore. The fact is, she’s agreed to be mine—hopefully forever—all I have to do now is make sure I don’t screw it up.

Around six, I order us a pizza and offer to pay extra for them to pick up a bottle of that orange soda she loves so much. By the time we’re done eating, she’s ready to show me what she’s got, and I’m so completely blown away by her presentation I’m left speechless.

“Well? What do you think?”

She stands before me, the embodiment of refined beauty. Her every movement is elegant and graceful without trying, as if she belongs to a world where charm and poise are second nature. But it’s her mind that truly captivates me. For the past four months, I’ve watched how her brilliance and intelligence shine through in every conversation, every thought she shares.

It’s not just her intellect, though–it’s the way she approaches the challenges in her life with unwavering determination, never backing down from obstacles that would make others falter. And as if that weren’t enough, it’s the soft kindness in her that leaves me utterly undone. Beneath that sharp mind is a heart so full of compassion and warmth, it softens the edges of my own guarded soul. She listens with genuine interest and cares for her friends with the kind of empathy that is rare in the world I come from. Every time she looks at me, I’m filled with a sense of lightness, a sense of belonging I hadn’t realized was missing until her.

I’ve been surrounded by beautiful women my entire life—from my mother to her friends, to the wives and daughters of the many dignitaries, shareholders, and business partners in my father’s circles. But never have I encountered someone who embodies all of Becca’s qualities with such effortless grace. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever known, a perfect balance of strength and tenderness, intelligence and warmth. The more time I spend with her, the deeper I fall, because she’s not just one thing. She’s everything.

“You’re amazing,” I utter the words with all the reverence she deserves. “Beautiful, smart, driven… kind.” Sitting forward on the edge of the couch, I call her over. “Come here, pretty girl.”

Taking her hand, I guide her to sit next to me. Setting the cards she was holding on the coffee table in front of us, I then turn towards her and take both her hands in mine. “That was perfect. You’re so damn smart, Becca, it’s enthralling. I’ve sat in a lot of meetings during my time working with my father, and I’m telling you, I don’t know of any high school student who could have pulled that together better than you. Mark my words, you are not only going to ace this thing, you’re going to make Mr. Blair regret the day he ever doubted you.”

“So, it was okay?” Her eyes flit between mine like she’s working to determine if she should believe me.

“Yes, pretty girl.” I can’t help but chuckle as I bring her hand up to my lips. Though I usually hate seeing her uncertain and insecure, right now it’s endearing. “It was better than okay. You did great. It was informative, concise, and you broke down the complex concepts so anyone could understand them. You nailed it, seriously. You have a real talent for making this stuff interesting—and not everyone can do that.”

When she ducks her head to hide the emotion pooling in her eyes, it dawns on me how starved she is for approval. Being only 18 years old, and completely on her own, I guess there aren’t many people in her life currently rooting for her. Encouraging her and telling her they’re proud of her. I can’t imagine how hard that must be, for even my parents, with all their faults and eccentricities, still find ways to tell me they are proud of the man I’m working to become.

“I mean it, Becca. You’re going to go into that classroom tomorrow and blow everyone away.” I tuck a loose strand of hair that has fallen over her eyes behind her ear.

“Thank you. For lending me your laptop and working my shifts. For being here tonight and helping me.” When she abruptly pulls away and stands, walking to the end of the room before turning back to face me, my gut twists with a sense of apprehension. “I appreciate it, I do, but you can’t keep doing this, Shane. It can’t happen again.”

“What can’t happen again?”

I attempt to walk towards her, but I pull to a stop when she demands, “No. Don’t.”

“Answer me, pretty girl.” I keep my voice calm, even as my insides twist at the thought she may have changed her mind about giving us a chance.

“I can’t have you sweeping into my life whenever you want. You can’t just show up and take over, helping me with things I should be able to handle on my own. I can’t get used to relying on anyone again because, as I’ve learned time and time again, I can’t count on anyone. And I know me. You keep doing this—showing up to take care of me, to help me—I’ll grow to depend on it. I’ll end up becoming dependent on you, and I swore to myself I’d never, ever fall for that again.”

“Oh, pretty girl…”

“No. Don’t do that. Don’t you dare feel sorry for me.”

“It’s not you I feel sorry for.” I give her a sad smile. “It’s me. Because, for me, it’s too late. I’ve already fallen, Becca. I’m already hopelessly and irrevocably in love with you, and though it’s the first time you’re hearing it, I assure you the past four months, I’ve grown completely dependent and addicted to you. I’m a lost cause, pretty girl. I know what I’m asking of you, and based on what little I know of your past, I can see how difficult this is, but it can’t be helped. At the risk of scaring you off, of destroying the little progress we’ve made, I need to ask you to do this because it’s the only way to keep my promise to you. So, I’m asking, will you trust me, Becca? To love you and be there for you. Fall with me, pretty girl, and I promise to always be there to catch you.”

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Author’s Note:

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter. Do you think it's too soon for Shane to declare his love for her? Given her fears, do you think Becca will take a chance and give him the trust he's asking for? 

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