Page 57 of Rise & Fall

“Whatever this is,” he whispers. “What do you want this to be?” He looks out above my head, still holding my hand in his.

“Well, the last guy I sawthisexclusively, it didn’t end very well,” I mention.

“Well, I’m not that guy. So where does that leave me?”

I feel it, the need to tell him the truth about what happened between Asher and me. We haven’t really talked much about our past relationships. Though I know more about his than he does mine. I owe it to him as well to give him some insight. Especially if we’re going to be spending more time together.

“I know you said you don’t want to ruin this date,” I blow out a deep breath, “but I need you to know this.” I squeeze his hand a little.

“You can tell me anything you need to.” He leans in and kisses my forehead again.

“Six months ago, I was engaged,” I breathe out.

“What happened?”

“I walked in on him fucking someone else. I immediately ended it and came back home.” I let go of his hand and turn around. The fireflies have died down and I feel the sting of tears trying to fight their way through as Nolan joins me at my side.

“Dakota, you know you didn’t deserve that, right?” Nolan’s tone is quiet and understanding.

“I know I didn’t. And I know that I don’t love him. I know I don’t miss him. I know that he was never the right one for me. But I think it still hurts because I never understood why.” I stifle a sniffle, trying not to seem too hung up on an asshole who never deserved the amount of time I gave him, but I’d be lying if I said my heart wasn’t still in pain. I think that’s why I get hesitant where Nolan is concerned.

Because I was never ready to move on from the heartache, because I didn’t want to believe that someone could treat me as if I were so little to them, like I was nothing.

“My ex cheated on me, too,” he admits. “With my brother.”

“Wait, the guy from the bar?” I question. Obviously, I wasn’t expecting that.

“Yep. But before that, I had suspicions that she’d cheated other times too. I just never caught her in those acts.” He runs his hand through his hair. “She also let me down in a way. She never did what she said she was gonna do, and I think she took advantage of the fact that I wanted it to work out for Aria.”

I move to stand behind him, allowing myself to wrap my arms around his waist and rest my cheek against his back. He joins me in laying his hands over mine across his abs.

“I’m sorry that happened to you,” I say as I give his hands a little squeeze.

“I’m not telling you this to compare cheating stories, Dakota. I’m telling you this because I was getting a divorce six months ago, with someone I have a kid with. Nothing you say can scare me away. But I don’t want you to feel like it will.” He turns back around so that we’re facing each other, and he takes my hands and lays them over his shoulder—I allow them to relax in place around his neck—as he rests his on my hips.

“This is fun, and I’m having the best time with you. Getting to know you and hanging out with you has become something I look forward to every day. But I’d hate for you to feel like every man out there is like your ex, feeling like you have to walk on eggshells when all you deserve is to let go and have some fun. Some of us are actually still good.” His hand rubs my back, feeding me desire and hope, even if only for this moment.

And I know he’s right. Asher is a jerk, but I can’t let him ruin it for the rest of the good guys out there. And I feel that with Nolan, fear that he’d do the same to me even though I feel like I can be myself around him. He deserves me to give him a chance. And I deserve to allow myself to enjoy that.

“Hey,” Nolan whispers at me, bringing me into his arms. “One thing?”

I allow his embrace, loving the way I fit into his hold just right and the way that he smells gives me butterflies. I nod into his chest.

“You’re safe with me,” he tells me. And it’s a promise I feel deep in my core. Hisone thing. But it still scares me. “I’m not seeing anyone else,” he adds. “I won’t be seeing anyone else while you allow me to spend time with you.”

“Me neither,” I confirm, pulling away from him slightly and giving him eye contact.

His eyes are dark, but they hold mine with so much assurance and truth. I know I can trust him; I’m safe with him.

“So, whatever this is,” he kisses my cheek, “is whatever you want it to be. But I’d never do anything to hurt you. I want this to be exclusive. And to answer your question earlier...I’ve never done anything like this with anyone else,includingmy ex.”

“So I’m the first pussy you’ve eaten out on a hot air balloon, then, huh?” I look up at him and give him a playful nudge, seeing his dimples peek through as he gives me a flirtatious grin.

“And it was damn good seeing you squirm like that, Firefly. You ready to get out of here?” He leans down and gives me a soft kiss on my lips before waving at his friend to let us down.

I feel tingles everywhere from the new nickname and the way his kiss holds the spark of something more.

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