Page 92 of Protecting Christina

She gasped and clutched the collar of my shirt as my tongue explored her hot, wet mouth. She tasted like peppermint every damn time. The scent had become an aphrodisiac to me. She panted between kisses and said, “Meet me in the women’s bathroom in two minutes.”

When she pulled away, the cool air hit my lips and fingers and I shivered. She was just about to leave, but I stopped her. “Wait.”

She looked over her shoulder, her eyebrows drawing closer together. “What is it?”

I swallowed. “Let’s go back to my place.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to wait that long.” She stepped forward, but I grabbed her hand.

“I don’t think that’s the reason.”

A sinking feeling pressed its way through my stomach and past my chest. “I think you keep me away on purpose. I think you put distance between us when you choose these public places for us to be together.”

She shook her head. “No. I don’t. That’s crazy.”

“Is it?”

Her lips tightened.

Might as well say it all. She was pissed at me already.

“I also think you were trying to pick a fight when you told me about that server.”

I tried to pull her back to the booth beside me, but she stood her ground. Regardless, I went on. “But I’m right here, Christina. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Her throat trembled. “I—I—” she stammered. She closed her eyes and breathed heavily. “I’ve got to go.”

Pulling herself away from me, she strutted out of the club.

My body bounced to go after her, but I sat and watched her go instead. I knew that following her now, she would only push me away.

The server placed our drinks on the table.

“Don’t take it personally. She’s not into relationships.”

I sipped my drink. “You’re wrong. She’s just never been in the right one.”

I would be patient. I would be what she needed me to be.

Because I loved her.

22

Christina

I hailed a cab less than a block away from the club. With all this tension in my body, I would have preferred to walk, except these heels were killing me. Why the fuck was I wearing heels, anyway? I always wore flats, but lately I've been wearing heels. For him.

Well, fuck that. I was changing for no one.

This was me. Unapologetically me.

“Where to, Miss?”

I sucked on my teeth. I was too pent up to go back home. I considered calling Nikole, but she would be at home with Jake. I could try Gabby, but she heard enough of my crap today. Donna? No. Too soon for that.

Fuck it.

“Take me to 7th and Avenue in the East Village. There’s a bar there.”

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