Because You Love Me (Falling for You, Book Three) Read Online Free PDF Page B

had the playful spark that undid me every time. "It would have gone down in history as the baddest beat down that had ever been, uh, beat down."
    Laughter spilled from my lips as I tucked hair behind her ears and cupped her face in my hands. "I didn't know you were such a bad ass, Penny Robertson."
    The spark in her eyes softened, her chin trembling. "I don't think that's true. You're the one that's always told me that I was stronger than everyone gives me credit for. Than even I give myself credit for. And you're right." She erased the distance between us, her body pressed against mine, her chin lifted as she stared up at me with every star shining right in front of me. "I'm sorry that I ran, Xander. I could give you lots of excuses. How I was afraid. How I didn't think I could measure against her-"
    "I have to interject." I leaned down until our foreheads were practically kissing, breathing in that sweet and warm scent. It had become as comforting as something cool and wet on a hot summer day, as vital as oxygen, and more alluring than anything I'd ever known. "There is no way to measure against her, because Jenna was a figment of my imagination. Even if everything we had wasn't a lie, no one has ever moved me the way you move me. No one has ever made me believe that love was real and powerful and worth everything. Until you."
    She stepped back, her eyes widening in awe before she wheeled around, not facing me. She didn't say anything, but from the way her shoulders shuddered, I knew she was crying.
    "Fuck, I wasn't trying to make you cry," I winced, wanting to pull her back in my arms, but not wanting to hurt her any further. "Baby, I'm trying to say that for the first time I think that happiness is not only something I can have, but it's something I deserve."
    "I'm not crying because I'm sad," she sniffled, still not facing me. "I mean, I am sad, because yesterday was stacking up to be the best day ever before my sister popped over with her little surprise. I'm crying because even now, when you have every right to be pissed, to write me off for not trusting you, you're still here." She spun to me, her cheeks wet, eyes bleary and pleading. "Why are you still here? Why are you so freaking perfect?"
    "Oh, I'm far from perfect, love," I replied softly.
    "Right," she huffed, ticking off a list to support her assessment. "I look like a wet, greasy rat with 80's hair." She pointed at her shirt that I noticed was adorably on backwards. "Just look at me. And you look like you just strolled off the pages of GQ or some other hot men’s magazine. I booked it out of there today without a glance backwards-"
    "That's not exactly true," I smirked. "I could have sworn I remember you looking back in the cab."
    Her cheeks turned an even deeper red. "And yet, I didn't tell him to come back. And I ignored you. And then I just show up here and you're not even mad at me!"
    "So you want me to be mad at you?" I knew that wasn't true, but I wanted to help her see that I wasn't going anywhere. "I was hurt that you assumed that I was lying to you and had something happening with my ex all along. But I realized something even more egregious. Why wouldn't you? We met at a sex club. I'm pretty sure I propositioned you before I even knew your name. Then I take you to a bar and tell you I'll pay you thousands of dollars to pretend you're my woman. You have a day from hell and instead of asking you what you needed, I swept you away for the afternoon. I didn't give you enough credit for not slapping me across the face the night we met, and I didn't give myself enough credit to know that it was possible for someone to want me for me. Not as Xander Wade. As a man that had nothing to give but his heart and his support."
    She looked up at me with so much love that I couldn't help myself. I claimed her mouth, everything in me, my fear, my need, my desire, my hope, weaved in and out of my lips. My tongue connected with hers and she melted in my arms, throwing