I Speak...Love (A Different Road #3) by Annalisa Nicole Page A

head no and picture it being a monster that can only eat what little happiness I have left. “Look, it’s cracked on the outside,” he says, pointing to a very small crack in the case. My anxiety level immediately comes down a notch. “I promise you that even though you see broken and flawed, I see perfect on the inside and out,” he says, looking at the camera, then at me.
    Flawed and perfect are two words that just don’t go together in the same sentence. It’s completely illogical. It just can’t. It’s a risk I’m not willing to take, but boy do I want to.
    “I can’t,” I insist.
    “Please,” he says, holding it out to me. “I promise you. It won’t change anything.”
    “You can’t promise me something like that,” I whisper.
    “Trust me, I can,” he replies.
    He removes the container of cookies from my hand and sets them on his desk. He moves the camera closer, then he gently sets it on my lap. It’s so very heavy, and I’m not just talking about the physical weight of the camera. What it represents and the pound of flesh it will require to offset my happiness is more than I can handle. The female human heart only weighs about nine ounces, and I can tell you I don’t have that much left to give. Another tear rolls down my cheek, but Stephen quickly wipes it away. I place my hand on the cool surface, and my skin instantly electrifies. Then I remember there was way more in the bags than just this one box. I look at his desk chair and definitely see more items in the bags.
    “It’s too much,” I whisper.
    “I’ll keep those here. For now,” he says, placing his hand on my knee.
    I look up into his eyes and wish I had a voice to speak. I silently tell him without words, thank you. His eyes again move from side to side as he searches deep within my own. Another tear slides down my cheek, and I feel as though the dam is cracking.
    He comes close to my face, then rests his cheek against mine. His hand comes to the side of my head and presses against my hair.
    He rests his lips close to my ear and whispers, “You’re welcome, Sweetness,” and I about combust.
     

 

     
    Maddy is the most selfless person I’ve ever met. I remove the camera from her lap and set it on my desk. I slowly move my lips down across her wet tear stained cheek until they hover over hers. I open my eyes just in time to see hers roll in the back of her head, then close. I close my eyes, then slowly touch my lips to hers. I move my hand over the top of her signature chef bun and pull a pin out of it. I find one more, then unravel her beautiful, silky red hair and let it cascade down her back.
    I run my hand through her hair while my lips slowly move over her warm, pouty lips. After a few minutes, her stomach rumbles. I break the kiss, then with my hand on the back of her head, I tip her forehead to my lips.
    I back away from her with a smile while her eyes open. It’s fascinating to see her eyes dilate as her thoughts run wild. I’ve never seen someone’s eyes change so many colors. I’d never believe it if I didn’t see it first-hand.
    I reach for the container of cookies on my desk and hold it out for her to take one. She takes one, then watches as I take one. Her eyes are glued to the cookie in my hand as she waits for me to take the first bite. I’m definitely going to find out what that’s all about. I take a bite, and it’s the best chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever tasted. Maddy takes a bite of her cookie, then she wipes a crumb from her lips with her fingertip. I pop the rest of the cookie in my mouth while Maddy perches her cookie between her teeth, then she reaches into her catering bag and removes two containers.
    I take the two containers from her and set them on my desk. She reaches for her cookie between her lips, then she shoves the whole thing in her mouth with a sexy smirk. I feel the wicked smile on my lips as I lean in and taste her decadent, sweet lips. She’s pure sweetness, and I was