Page 198 of Crazy for this Girl

“I’m not demanding you to date me, but fuck me.”

She swivels her head back and forth, clearly jostling that comment out of her head. “You could’ve said hi or hey or hey, I’m in town.” She pouts, and I know it upsets her, but I’m right for once in this assessment. I didn’t want to shove myself in her existence when she was doing other things.

Mind you, I didn’t know Oliver was a fucker at the time until later.

“And that would’ve done what?” I press honestly.

“That would’ve told me you still thought about me.”

“I already told you I thought about you.”

She points an accusatory finger at me through her sulking. “But do you know how much heartache it would’ve saved me?”

“Like you said the other day, you’re not dead. I apologized and now I want you to date the shit out of me.”

“I need you to let me do my work,” she retorts. “This isn’t the time nor the place.”

“I own this company, so I’ll decide that.”

“Well, I’ve decided that you’re in the doghouse.”

I roll my eyes. “For how long this time, Peabody?”

She lurches toward me and slams a fist into my chest to which I immediately seize. “I told you to stop calling me that.”

“And I told you to get over it. I will always protect you, no matter if you like it or not. It’ll always be that way. And if you can swallow that, Laynee, then you can swallow something else that I’d gladly give you.”

She scrunches up her cute face. “What is with you and everything being sexual?”

“Because…” I brush a piece of hair away from her forehead and stare right into the depth of her blue eyes. “It’s been building up for a long time. You were my first and last thought when I was deployed. I was crazy for this girl with this big ass mouth, who always had something to say. I have been since we were fourteen.”

She’s mute for a moment, but her expression softens with each second that passes. “I liked you too.”

“Nah, woman, I was in love with you. I didn’t just like you. I’ve been in love with you for what feels like forever. And if you would’ve moved on without me with a man who actually wanted to take care of you, maybe I would’ve allowed him to keep you.”

“Allowed?” She lifts both brows. “You’re lucky I didn’t quit this stupid job on the spot.”

“You did, tried, and failed. Two-year contract, remember?”

“I hate you.”

I can’t hide the spring in my smile from her bullshit confession. “Mhmmm, I’m sure you do. Did you ever imagine it was me when you were sleeping with another dud—”

“Cal.”

“What?”

“Doghouse.” She rips her hand from mine and points to the door. “Out.”

“I’m confused at what you’re mad at.”

“You would be.”

“Then explain.”

“You keep making decisions for me. You’ve made them for years. How do I know this isn’t going to be a one-sided relationship? Ones I’ve already had before?”

I sigh through this woman’s stubborn stance. “I’m allowing you to kick me out of your office, aren’t I?”

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