And I had no zero qualms about handling the gorgeous creature who was bleeding, a bit bruised up, and ready to take on the next motherfucker who dared cross her.
I wanted to be in that line of fire, whether I was on the right or wrong side, though I’d never touch her like that.
However, I wouldn’t have minded her touching me.
But my association is what works against me—never had that before—and I thought maybe that was why I was attracted to her.
The chase.
The want of having something I shouldn’t and couldn’t have.
And, thanks to Torin, he’s made her loathe us all with a passion alongside the fact that we’re mortal enemies and I’m screwed with ever getting a chance.
Or so I thought.
He’s had her, and he can’t deny that he’d do it again. And when she’s with him, it only makes me hard. Minus fucking Torin. It’s the fire, the wild spirit, and the stubbornness to keep her inner circle safe that draws my respect and admiration.
I want to be in that inner circle.
I wish to be that person she looks forward to and not shoot off a fucking question of why I’m there and what I want. And she’s guarded when she should be. I wouldn’t trust me, either.
“Are you afraid of heights?” She stops at a stocky tree, and I notice the janky treehouse hanging in it.
“Of this thing?” She nods. “I’m afraid of falling on my ass and hitting every stupid branch on this tree. This safe, McQueen?”
She laughs, deeper in her chest and drawing my attention back down to her. As if taking on a treehouse is the least of her worries. “Limited on brain cells?”
“Getting there.”
“How about I test it out and I’ll let you?—”
I step forward toward the several crooked steps leading up to the place she wants to visit. “There’s no universe where I’d let you bust your head off a treehouse,” I retort softly. “So, congratulations, you’re about to get a free view of my ass while I climb this thing.”
Bay, without delay, steps aside for me to ascend the ladder and gestures for me to go ahead. “I’m not going to complain about that.”
My lips heave before I scale up the crooked two-by-fours that make up the path to get up. They creak underneath my weight, however, the distance from said death trap isn’t far from the ground below so, if this thing busts from my heavy ass, it won’t be that far of a fall.
Inside, it’s a little hard to see, but I make out a few toy cars on the floor and two small chairs for toddlers as I crawl in. I’m not sure what parent would allow their kids up here without fearing for their safety, but who the fuck am I?
Testing the floors by moving my weight around on all fours, nothing protests, and when I begin to turn around, Bay’s already halfway up the ladder, staring at me.
“I think I like this position over the other one,” she says before climbing the rest of the way. Her tight light blue jeans show off her thick thighs underneath a lilac-colored tee.
“Wanna return the favor?”
Her ass hits the floor as she slides in the middle of the tiny enclave next to me. “Stick around and you might get lucky.”
“I plan on it, McQueen.”
And I do.
I’m not going the fuck anywhere.
Torin can be paranoid about her intentions, but until she shows me a sign that she’s going to fuck us over, I’m not going to convict her yet.
Something about her has me believing she’s just as adamant to break free from all the bullshit as much as my brothers and I are.
A metal case appears in her hand as she flips the top open, revealing a juicy joint and a lighter. “You smoke, Reevie?”