Page 120 of Pretty Little Lies

I rock my head back and forth. “It’s not supposed to be like that. You were supposed to be loved?—”

“Not all kids are given that opportunity. You know that.”

I do, but I still despise it just the same. “I’m sorry. You deserve more.”

“So, do you. Way more than some fucked-up rivalry and two dudes who screwed you in the back of my car. I wouldn’t say a prince would suit you, Wildfire, but maybe less drama.”

“I’d be bored without it.”

He smiles at me. “Is that why you keep pushing me?”

“No.” I lift my chin defiantly, but can’t deny that I do enjoy getting a rise out of him. “I do it becauseyou’renot the boss of me.”

“I’d never want to be the boss of you.” His fingers splay along the base of my spine. “However, I can think ofoneplace I’d like to have all the control.”

I look heavenward to hide any glint in my eye that this man has already secured my interest in that playing field. “I’m sure you would.”

“Do you understand now why I keep hounding you about Emilio?”

“Yes.” His fingers press harder into my hip, to the point that I actually yelp a bit in discomfort. “I saidyes.”

“Say it again,” he orders. His golden eyes steel into not giving him any bullshit. “I want to make sure nothing is lost in translation this time.”

“I understand, Pretty Boy. You don’t have—” I’m nudged again, peering down at one of the identical dogs at my side. “Gosh, they’re as needy as you.”

“You’re addicting.”

I roll my eyes off another smile and look back at him. “You say that as if I’m supposed to believe you.”

“And what would make you believe me? I’ve only been chasin’ you around for years, Wildfire. I don’t do that with anyone else.”

“And what are we supposed to do? I’m not tied into South Shore anymore. You can’t gain anything from me?—”

“This isn’t about South Shore and everything to do with me and you. It’d be nice for Wallace not to want to kill me every two seconds. However, I’m not gonna let that deter me.”

“And Reeve?”

“Reeve will always remain at my side. And, since I know he wants you?—”

“You don’t share.”

He smirks at me. “I don’t. Yet, he’s my brother, and I owe him more than my life. Reeve has saved my ass on more than one occasion. The least I can do is share my girl.”

My brows ascend. “Shareyourgirl?”

“Our girl. Him and me only. You’re exclusive to?—”

“That’s never going to work,” I retort evenly. “What am I supposed to tell my dad? My sisters?”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. You’re not involved in any gang shit, and I’ve let it go.”

I perk a brow. “You finally caught on to that?”

“Girl told me to stop fuckin’ asking,” he muses with a shrug. “So I stopped.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that. If I don’t give you some rope to hang yourself with than how will I ever move forward with you?”

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