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.”

sound of Rose addressing him by his full

Unconsciously, he swallowed hard.

the Emersons would come to me and cause trouble. I have no peace. I don’t deserve you. It’ll only be harder for you

of her heart away with each word uttered. “You deserve

this way about me, and perhaps one of them is because your emotions stem from a desire to protect me—a misplaced sense of

the initial rush fades, you’ll see what I see—love is fleeting and nothing but trouble. You come from a good place, and even

a glimpse, a mere whisper of

wellspring of bitterness and insecurity. Her extravagant

life without roots. She could never bring herself to

qualities or the depth of his love, a relentless sense

the thought of a future where Silas’ feelings waned or a future where their

would

your background for

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