Page 86 of #Lovestrong

"I can't imagine why," I say. "It's December in Oregon and no one wanted to get repeatedly dunked in freezing water. What's wrong with this town?"

He stares at me for a moment, and before I can protest, he grabs me and pulls me onto his lap, burying his head against my chest. I can't stop my arms from going around him, my hands trying to rub the warmth into his back, and my eyes close as I lean into him.

For the first time in weeks, I feel like I'm home, like my life is complete. I know Declan Harp is where I belong. Even if he does deserve better, I don't want anyone else. I just want him. But I don't know how to tell him that, or make up for the pain I've caused him.

After a few moments, he sits up and stares at me. "Can we talk?"

I bite my bottom lip. "This isn't the place for that, Declan."

"Tonight, tomorrow, any night. I can come to your house. Or we can go somewhere and sit. Please, Lena, can we just talk? Whenever you want. Please?"

I cup the side of his face and run my thumb over his cheek. "Can you come by the house tonight? Maybe around ten?"

"Yeah, I can do that."

"Okay. I'll have Grandma make us some hot chocolate. Maybe we can talk and watch a movie or something, I don't know." I pull the towel off his head and run my fingers through his hair, which is longer than it's been since I met him.

His eyes close at my touch, his lips parting slightly, and I force myself not to kiss him. "Anything you want. Ten o'clock. I'll be there."

"Okay." I can't help the smile on my face, and when Declan looks up at me, he's smiling too. "Now, get warm and get dressed before you catch a cold."

Standing, I walk toward the opening in the tent and take just a moment to glance over my shoulder. Pain lances through my chest watching Declan hold his fingers to the exact spot on his cheek where I ran my thumb over his skin.

God, please help me fix this.I messed up so bad this time.