Page 18 of Riot

This is where my obsession started.

“Good boy, now run back to your cash cow.” She takes my hand, threading her fingers through mine as she turns to me. Her eyes land on my lip, and she leans in, her tongue darting out to lick blood away.

“Let’s go.” She tugs me after her, and I follow willingly.

My soul cheers in victory, my heart overflows, and my hand is clutched in hers, where I belong.

I’m Fallon’s man, and she just made that clear.

“Why’d you kiss me?” she asks. She’s been quiet since we got in the car. She didn’t even bother to tell people goodbye, just left with my hand in hers. She let it go in the car, and I curl it into a fist to maintain the warmth. If this is the only time she touches my hand, then I will count myself blessed that my goddess even offered me that. “Was it just to make my ex jealous?”

“No.” I smirk. “That was just a bonus. I didn’t like the way he was looking at you.”

“What do you mean?” She furrows her brow adorably, and I smooth the lines with my thumb.

“Like you were still his.” I reach for her hand, gripping it in mine despite her trying to pull it away. “I’ve wanted to kiss you since the moment I met you, but I knew you wouldn’t let me unless you gained something. That’s fine by me. You showed up your ex, and I got what I wanted, which was you.”

“You know, you’re kind of terrifying,” she says, but her thumb darts out and wipes my bleeding lip. “Why didn’t you hit him back?”

“He isn’t worth it.” I smirk as I lean into her touch, but all too soon, she drops her hand. “I didn’t need to sink to his level to ruin him. I could do that for you without even blinking.”

“Why me? I don’t get it. Why are you doing this for me?” It’s clear my girl still doesn’t understand.

Her brows draw together in confusion, and my heart skips a beat like it always does around her.

“Because I like you,” I answer honestly, knowing she needs me to be direct. “I like you so fucking much.”

I want to say I love her, but I know that won’t go over well.

“Don’t, it won’t end well for you,” she whispers.

“I don’t care. I like you.” I move closer, invading her space, and for once, I see her retreat in fear. “I like you a lot, and I don’t plan to stop, so do your best. Push me away, hurt me, use me, wreck me, just don’t stop. Don’t turn your attention away from me. Good or bad, I want it. Direct all that ire and all that fucking anger at me. I’ll eat it all up. I’ll crawl at your fucking feet just for a chance,” I murmur, watching her mouth part.

“Why?” she whispers, genuinely shocked and maybe a little scared.

“Because under that ice-cold exterior is a kind, caring, amazing woman who was hurt too many times. I see her all the time, and I want her. I want to protect her and make her happy. In order to do that, I have to keep pushing. Shove me away all you want, I’m not going anywhere,” I promise as I lift our joined hands and kiss hers. “You are stuck with me, Fallon, like it or not.”

She stares at me before looking away, but she doesn’t take her hand back, and I take that as a win.

All too soon, we arrive at her place, and I reluctantly release her hand to help her out. I take it back as I walk her to her door, and she hesitates in the open doorway. Her eyes narrow on me with determination, and I know the next few moments of my life are going to be the hardest I’ve ever had.

“Do you want to come in and spend the night?—”

“No.” I kiss her to soften the blow as she bristles at my interruption. Before she can pull away at the rejection, I grip her face. “Look at me, Fallon.” She does, and I grin. “I refuse to be one of your fuck boys you spend one night with and toss aside, and that’s what you’re trying to do. You want to gain the upper hand and get this out of your system. The truth is, sweetheart, there is no getting me out of your system, so even though I would give anything to spend just one moment in your bed, not tonight. This is different, Fallon. We are different. I’m saying no, but I will spend the entire night with my hand on my dick, imagining what could and will happen when you let me into your bed with the understanding that it isn’t for a night, but forever.” I kiss her, and before she can protest, I push her inside her house. “Goodnight, sweetheart. Dream of me.” I shut the door, and I don’t leave until I hear her locks click into place.

Good, lock me out.

If she isn’t careful, I’ll go back on my word, break down the fucking door, and beg her for the night she offered, even though I know it was a tactic.

I’m not playing for a night. I’m playing for forever.

EIGHT

He turned me down.

Me.

I have never been rejected in my life, and I don’t like how it feels. Despite his promise, I still feel the aching sting of rejection, and old doubts and darkness creep up as I wander through the big house like a ghost.

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