Page 153 of Always You

“Why is that? You wanted a dog for so long. I figured as soon as you got the chance, you would run to the shelter, giving yourself a fur friend.”

The features in his face are soft, reminding me of years ago, the first time we met.

“I thought about it,” I confess, fumbling with the sharp edge of my nail. “I even went to the shelter about a month after Mama died. But it didn’t feel right. I couldn’t pick one by myself, so instead I walked right back out. Never went back, even though the thought still crosses my mind now and then.”

He reaches out his hand, grabbing mine before he links our fingers, the move making me look up at him. I expect him to say he’s sorry or some other bullshit I’m not ready to hear, butI watch him while the corner of his mouth lifts a little as he squeezes my hand.

“You’ll get one. When you’re ready. When it’s the right time.”

Without thinking, I smile back at him, a warm feeling forming inside of me.

“I know.”

He lets go of my hand, the stern look in his eyes telling me he doesn’t really want to.

“Look, I know you’re not ready to talk yet.” My lips part to respond, but he places his hand over my mouth, and his warm skin on my lips makes me blink in shock. “And that’s okay. I can’t blame you. We don’t have to dig out the deep stuff. Just spend some time with me, okay? That’s all I ask.” The corner of his eyes grow moist, while he inhales loudly through his nose, then pushes out a troubled breath as he lowers his hand again.

I want to tell him to fuck off.

But I can’t.

I can’t, and at this point, I’m wondering if I ever will.

If I will ever be strong enough to resist Hunter Hansen in any shape or form.

61

Charlotte Roux is no longer the sweet little girl she was in high school. Her entire stance has closed off, determined to make life difficult for me, but even though it pisses me off, it also fucking turns me on.

I already knew that, but the last few years I’ve not been on the receiving side of her sass, aside from our world-shattering breakup, and fuck me, it makes me want to shut her up with my lips.

“My turn.” She unbuckles her belt when I’m parked in front of her house again, turning her body toward mine while I wait in anticipation.

“What was your eighteenth birthday wish?”

I let out a loud groan, moving my head toward her as I gave her an incredulous look.

When I made that wish, I never expected it to come true. Let alone for her to remember me not wanting to tell her.

But it did come true.

Faster than I anticipated, but it left even quicker.

“You can’t do me like that, babe,” I plead, making her chuckle softly, the curiosity dripping from her face.

“Answer it,fighter boy.” She wiggles her eyebrows while her tongue darts out, daringly licking her lips. Her stance has opened up in the last half hour, as I just drove around with her like we were seventeen again. I thought about going to our spotat the creek, but after the number of glares she gave me when I showed up on her doorstep, I figured that might have been pushing it too hard.

“Pass,” I blurt.

“No!” she shouts through the car, laughter audible in her voice as she points her finger at me. “You had your passes. You’ve gotta answer this one!”

I narrow my eyes at the girl who clearly likes to torment me in any way she can, while the corner of my mouth curls in an amused smile.

“You like to make life difficult for me, don’t you?”

“Maybe.” She shrugs, making me want to kiss the devilish grin off her face, and I let out a deep growl, turning my focus back to her.

“I can’t believe you’re going to make me say it.”

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