Page 23 of Pike

“Why?”

“Do you always question things like this? Maybe I don’t need a reason why.”

“You force me to say no one else will touch me, and then you can’t even give me a reason why?”

“I don’t need a reason, Feather. I said you were mine. That’s reason enough.” Before I let her talk anymore, I lean down and kiss her. I grab her face in my hand and keep my lips pressed to hers. I kiss her hard, not letting her come up for air. I want her to starve for oxygen, for me. I want her to want me the same way I want her. She’s driving me insane, and she doesn’t even know it.

My hands slip down to her sides, pulling her closer to me. Her body presses against mine, and that’s where I keep her. Finally, she kisses me back. Our tongues dance as fire courses through my veins. This is what I’ve been waiting for from her. The moment she lets go and just feels. Our kiss isn’t hurried. It’s perfect.

When I finally pull away from her and let her breathe, she reaches up and covers her lips with her fingers. I smirk at her.

“I’ve never been kissed like that.”

“Get used to it.”

“What is this, Pike?”

“This is us, Feather. This is us tryin’ somethin’ new. You can’t tell me you love that asshole.”

“I … no. I thought I did at some point. I thought he was helping me when I needed him, but I know that’s all a lie. He was using me for what he wanted. He didn’t care about me.”

“That’s right, he didn’t. But this is different, Feather. This is gonna be different.”

“How so?”

“I’m not a liar. I’m not a cheater. I’m not gonna use you for somethin’ the way he did.”

“How do I know that?”

“I’ll show you. You’ll see.”

“I have to go back, Pike,” she tells me as I shake my head. She isn’t going back there. I don’t give a fuck what kind of reason she has. It’s not going to be good enough.

“No, you’re not. I’ll fuckin’ tie your ass to my bed if I have to, Feather.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.”

“I live there, Pike. My stuff is there.”

“You’ll get new stuff. I’ll make sure you have everything you need.” She isn’t going back there, no matter what excuse she comes up with. I won’t allow it.

“You can’t do that,” she protests. I grab her chin in my hand this time and force her to look at me.

“What did I just tell you? You and him are done. There is nothin’ you need from there. If there is, I’ll get it. Everything else is replaceable. Don’t fuckin’ fight me on this, Feather.” Her eyes pool with tears once more, and I’m not sure why. Does she want to go back to him? To that place? Is there more that I don’t know?

“You barely know me.”

“We’ve gone over that. I know enough. I know what I want.” Someone knocks on the door, breaking our moment, and I curse them quietly before pulling away from her and opening the door. Mask stands there looking between the two of us.

“You wanna tell us what’s goin’ on?” he asks.

“Jailbait found herself in a little trouble,” I tell him as he walks into the room and straight toward her. At first, he looks pissed, but his face slowly softens as he takes her in. He reaches up and grabs her chin, turning her face so he can get a better look before shaking his head.

“Who did it?”

“RRMC,” I tell him.

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