My mouth goes dry and my heart slows. "Court me?" I repeat, just to be sure I have heard him correctly.

"Yes," he affirms and the intensity in his stark gaze has me pulling back.

I'm not sure I understand what he means, but every possible meaning that crosses my mind has me freaking out. I start to rise from his thigh but his hands grip my thigh tightly, holding me in place.

"You do not always have to run from everything, you know."

My fingers curl on his shoulder ...