“
You wouldn’t?” “Of course not. You’re more than enough man for me to handle.” I tighten my arms around him and press my front against his back. “Maybe you want a different sort of man.” “I don’t want a different sort of man, Mack! From the very first day I saw you, there hasn’t been another man who’s provoked even a passing interest for me. You must know that.” “I thought I did. For a while. I thought it was only your bad experiences that kept you from being with me for real.” “That’s exactly what it was.” He’s gotten tense again. I can feel something strong shuddering inside him. His voice is thick as he mutters, “But then you dumped me. So I occasionally wondered if it was me you didn’t want after all.” “That’s not—” “I know what you said, and I tried to believe it. But I still wondered… Then everything went to hell for me, and now I’m broken.” “Mack, you’re not—” “I’m not the man I used to be. So it’s hard not to think that I can’t be the man you want anymore.” It’s a raw, naked conversation to be having astride the ATV as we are. I’m kind of shaky as I hug him from behind again. “Mack, what do you think our conversation this morning was all about? If anything, I want you more now than I used to.
”
”