“Bullshit.”
The entire cafe was invested now. I pinched the penny between my fingers and raised it. “Since we’re talkin’ about bullshit.”
“Oh, can’t wait to hear this.”
Good.
“You’ve never wanted to admit that I started knockin’ that wall down the night ya nearly bit me finger off. Don’t wanna admit you feel anything, damn near had tobegyou to say my name the first night we fu—”
“Malek!”
My ass raised off the seat and I matched her proximity, our noses nearly touching. “You cut me off the night I left. You didn’t even wanna hear it. I’m not givin’ you a choice now. I won’t fuckin’ walk away a second time without tellin’ you that screwing up your life was the best thing I ever did. Singin’ in your shower, getting hosed down with pond scum, and playin’ dirty Scrabble was the time of my fuckin’ life. I hate every second you’re not in it, and if I’m giving up chaos, Seven Grey…Igottahave you.I fuckin’ love you. So much I can’t stand the misery of my own goddamn company. I stopped wearing another man’s wedding ring three months ago and won’t wear another unless it’s mine. And I don’t want one if it’s not matching the one on your hand.That’smy truth. What’s yours, lass?” The entire establishment was silent, and I let the penny slip from my fingers, sliding back and taking a cocky sip from my milkshake, eyeing her like a predator.
She straightened and looked like we’d traded places. Like she was about to become the executioner, and mybollockswere on the chopping block. “I hate strawberry milkshakes. I’ve spent my entire life convinced that I’m some freak, designed with every flaw that renders me utterly invisible,unlovable, and not worth the simple gesture of asmile. Then here you come, all tattoos and dimples and snarky retorts, bulldozing my life andtelling me how perfect I am. What the hell was I supposed to think, Malek? What was I supposed tosay? That you checked all the boxes, and it terrified me? That as much as it drove me insane, it was still too good to believe it was true? You want me to tell you that letting you take a walk was because I felt nothing?You know why. Youtoldme to hate you in the morning, and goddammit, I’ve tried. I really have. A part of me will always hate you for making me feel what I didn’t want to.”
Say it, Seven. Just say it!
I pulled the wrapper off another straw and slipped it into the other side of my milkshake, leaning myself back against the wooden wall. She glanced back and forth in confusion, and I rested the back of my head, waiting and giving her a silent invitation. I dunno what else to do…and my heart is pounding. Desiree and every patron in this joint is waiting with bated breath. Is this not a bad 80’s movie?
“Prove that,” I said simply. She mumbled something under her breath, and it wasn’t just me that leaned in to try to hear it while she looked around anxiously. “Pardon?” I raised an eyebrow—the pierced one that grates her nerves. God, I love that look. That’s the look that makes her pull out sharp things.
“I…(what the fuck)…you…”
“Can’t hear ya.”
I stood, resting a knee on the seat and scooting closer.
“I LOVE YOU!God, you’resucha—” I cut her off, grabbing the back of her head with my fist and pulling her to me by her slim waist. There it is. There’s that kiss I’ve been rotting slowly without. My mouth tore over hers and there was hollering around the entirety of the cafe while she hooked both arms around my neck and tackled me into the wall. I’ve got a good mind to give the good citizens of Castine a show they’re not likely to forget…but I’ll wait. I broke away, reaching over the table, and grabbed the milkshake.
“I didn’t wanna leave you in that coffin. I didn’t want you to have to say what needed to be said. You’ve said enough. I’ll give you the same courtesy now.”
“How fucking chivalrous.”
I grinned, and held the fancy glass up to her face, turning it so she could get to her straw…and then I made a familiar gesture with my tongue on mine before closing my mouth over it.
Come on, Viper…play with me. Take me back.
“Drink it!” Desiree yelled, others joining her.“Drink it!”
Seven took the straw between her teeth, eyeing me, and dragged a long sip. I know how hard she sucks…know it all too well. She definitelyisplaying with me. I watched that straw get fuller and fuller…and she hesitated when it was near the top.
“Get rid of the apartment.”
“Oh, it’sgone.”
And then she sipped.
Christ, I wanted to take her in the back of the work van and repeat every disgusting thing I did to her in the hearse…in slow motion…until neither of us could feel our fuckinglegs. But—I have to prove that I’m turning that leaf and stick to it. Therefore, I’m back at the office, suppressing averyuncomfortable boner, thinking of all the ways I’m gonna relieve it as soon as she lets me back into her apartment. We might not even make it that far. I loaded up the next delivery, trying to think about six-hundred-pound men in bikinis, or what actually happens if you Google ‘blue waffle’…because I’ve never been that brave, but Declan was horrified enough to deter my curiosity…when my phone buzzed in my back pocket.
Viper: Dinner at 5:00. Mom doesn’t accept tardiness. DO NOT…make this weirder.
So, two things: I’ve never been happier to see her pop up on this screen. And I can’t fuck this up, because I know how big of a leap she’s making, bringing me home to officially meet her parents, even though technically, we already met. This is different. This is the real deal, andI can’t believeit’s actually happening.
Me: I don’t get off until 5. I’ve only been here two weeks…what do I do?
The little dots danced above my keyboard and my cock decided it refuses to be forgotten.
Viper: Figure it out Dexter…and I’ll find five minutes and a hair tie. ;)
