Page 61 of Fumble

“See… it worked out great.” Her playful smile would melt my resolve if this weren’t such a serious conversation.

“Faith, you slept with me to block out what that scumbag did to you, and I was sitting in first-class like a fucking asshole. You should have been with me. This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t wanted to keep up appearances.”

“No, you don’t get to take this away from me. He doesn’t get to take this away from me. I gave you my virginity freely, willingly. You didn’t take anything. You hear that? I’m a grown-ass woman.” Her eyes well with tears as she moves to the bed, dumping down on the edge.

“I know.”

“Do you?” I take a seat beside her, lacing my fingers with hers.

“I’m listening.”

“Yes, that asshole took something from me, but if you’d called me or taken a call from any one of your team this week, you’d know that I dealt with it. I’m not a damsel in distress waiting on a big strong man to save me.”

“Faith…”

“Stop interrupting, you goob. I’m trying to tell you something.”

“Goob? Really?” How does she do that? Make me smile when I want to smash Malcolm to a pulp.

“You didn’t need to do this.” Her gaze falls to my hand. “I went to the police. Malcolm was arrested for assault.”

“What?”

“When I had to leave you at the hospital, I was so mad. At you. At him. At myself. I called Zee, and she helped me contact the airline. She was amazing. You would’ve loved to hear her go off on one when they said they couldn’t give us details of the cabin crew or passengers. Anyway, she called every single person to ask if they saw anything unusual on the flight. Someone across the aisle from me saw everything. The crew remembered that I was the girl throwing up in the restroom. They agreed to speak to the police. I doubt he’ll serve jail time, but this will be on his record. Might make him think twice about doing it to someone else.”

I’m in awe.

“I fucking love you right now.” It’s out before I know what I’m saying.

“What?” Her eyes are wide as saucers, her cheeks redder than roses.

“I love you.” No sense in backtracking now. It’s out there.

“The sex was really that good?”

“I know your go-to is to make me laugh, but I’m being serious right now. I don’t want you to say it back, not until you mean it, but fuck me. What you did, that takes real bravery. I could go out there right now and kiss Zoey for helping you.”

“Don’t you dare! You might not come back.”

“Shut up. You’re the goob. I just told you I love you. I’m basically your bitch. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Hunter, I…”

“Don’t. I’m busy being floored by how amazing you are, okay? Seriously, I would’ve loved to see the look on that fucktard’s face when the cops showed up.”

“Right? Hopefully, he got a night in the slammer with some guy looking for a new fuck buddy.” A full-bodied belly laugh erupts, and I can’t help but follow suit. Tears roll down her cheeks as her laughter fades.

“Faith. Are you okay? I fucking hate that I wasn’t there for you.”

“You were, you just didn’t know it.”

“That wasn’t how our first time was supposed to happen. Your first time.” She grabs my face in her hands, staring me down.

“Hunter, please listen to me. I wanted you, and not because of anything else that happened that day. Whenever it happened with us, it was going to be right. It is right. You can’t let it be clouded by what you think was my reasoning. You and me… this… it’s just us. No one else. Nothing else. Just us. Okay? Tell me you understand, that you know I was in it with you one-hundred percent.”

“How did I get so lucky?”

“Because I’m easy?”

“Oh my God. Can you just let me say one nice thing without being goofy?”

“You know there’s only one sure-fire way to shut me up?” Her eyes are alight with mischief. Pushing me back onto the bed, she moves to straddle me.

“How is that, Miss Fairchild?” She looks so fucking sexy on top of me.

“With a mouth full of cock.”

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