Can’t Win Me Back

Silas tightened his arms around her as he spoke as if fearing she might escape him.

A warm blush crept up Rose’s chest, a pleasant tingle settling in her heart. Her voice dipped to a playful whisper, more of a tease than a scold. “Well, at least you know you’re being sneaky.”

“Rosie.” Silas couldn’t tear his gaze away. A captivating blush painted Rose’s pale face as he murmured, “Well, you’re just as cunning. You’re the sneak who’s stolen my heart.”

Rose found herself at a loss for words.

She remembered listening to Alyssa chatter about her family and Silas. He had such a handsome face. Yet, he was so dense and cheesy that it raised concerns for him.

It seemed Alyssa was right.

Silas noticed her sudden silence and fell into a surge of panic. He turned her to face him. “Are you still upset with me?”

“Silas Taylor.”

the sound of Rose addressing him by his

Unconsciously, he swallowed hard.

the Emersons would come to me and cause trouble. I have no peace. I don’t deserve you.

tearing a piece of her heart away with each word uttered. “You

of reasons why you might feel this way about me, and perhaps one of them is

and nothing but trouble. You come from a good place, and even if you don’t need someone of equal standing, you deserve a well- educated woman with a respectable

a glimpse, a mere whisper

a renowned designer, Rose harbored a wellspring of bitterness and insecurity. Her extravagant creations were a

adrift, a life without roots. She could never bring herself

qualities or the depth of his love, a relentless sense of unworthiness gnawed at

couldn’t bear the thought of a future where Silas’ feelings

would

known about your background for

he pressed on, “So what, Rose? It doesn’t change a thing. I see you, all of you. And I still want you