Page 7 of Dodge

She looked up at him, and her lips quivered. “Been living up in Iron Duff for a while now. It’s not too far away, so I thought I’d come home for a bit. I was hopin’ you’d let me stay here for a little while.”

“This hasn’t been your home in a long time.”

Tears dripped down her cheek, leaving dark streaks behind. “The truth is the guy I was stayin’ with kicked me out. Had to sleep in my car ’cause I ain’t got no place to go ’cept here. I ain’t got no money either. I’m hopin’ you’ll take me in at least until I get on my feet.”

Dodge closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose. How many years had he repeated this same cycle? She’d been in and out of his life since childhood, only coming back to him when she had no other options. At one time, he thought they would be together forever, and she was the love of his life. That dream shattered almost from the beginning, and he’d spent many nights picking up the pieces. Too many. His head told him to not care and tell her to leave, but his damn heart wouldn’t listen.

“Hey, bro. Got your pizza.” The delivery driver showed up in the open doorway. The college student’s eyes got big at the sight of Mallory lounging on the sofa, but he kept his comments to himself. The kid had talked to Dodge more than once about prospecting with the Dragon Runners and had learned the art of discretion.

Dodge pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and pulled out two twenties. The tip was more than the pizza price, but Dodge knew the young man was working two jobs to make ends meet while still going to school. “Thanks, kid. Be safe out there.”

The driver nodded once, and with a last look at Mallory, he left.

Dodge waved Mallory over and put the box on the middle cushion.

“You need a coffee table, baby.”

I need a lot of things. Balls would be a good start.

He reached for the roll of paper towels he kept by the sofa and tore off several. “You worked anywhere lately?”

Mallory frowned. “I had a job at a Quickmart back in Iron Duff for a while. Got fired ’cause I was late a few times. I ain’t been lookin’ for ’nother one yet, but I’ll get on that tomorrow. Promise.”

Dodge tore off a bite of pizza. He’d experienced firsthand how much her promises were worth. It wasn’t in him to kick her out, though. The thought of her living on the streets or in her car bothered him too much. The protector in him rose to the top. “You can stay here for a few days until you find a job. That’s it, Mallie. Take the bedroom, and I’ll take the couch.”

She gave him a side-eye that he guessed was supposed to be sexy as she lifted a slice of pizza. “You don’t gotta sleep out here, baby. I’m happy to share.” Her tongue darted out to touch the tip of the triangle and deliberately circled it before she bit into the crust.

Dodge recognized the tactic she used over and over again to get what she wanted, from him or some other sucker who got caught up in her web. He forced down the lump of food in his throat and took another bite. He knew what she was and yet he still let her come back, time after time. She was his first love, his longest hurt, and his biggest weakness.

She finished two big slices and stretched, the thin tank going transparent as she arched her back and thrust out her chest. “Mmm… I’m so tired.”

Here it comes.

Dodge held another slice of pizza as she stood up and whipped the tank over her head. A pink jewel winked at him where it dangled from her left nipple. That was new. She traced her fingers over her shoulders and down to the piercing, flicking it lightly. “Wanna come tuck me in?”

He hated it. Hated that she had this power over him. Hated being so weak when it came to her. Hated the games she played and how he fell for them again and again. Most of all, he hated himself for still caring about her.

Not this time. I swear, no more.

“I’m staying out here. You go on to bed.”

She pouted again. “Sure you don’t want me to pay for my dinner?”

The bite he took threatened to rise. How many times had she “paid” for stuff this way with other men? “No, Mallie. I’m done, and I have to work tomorrow.”

Her face bowed up like she wanted to say something else. Then she let it go and shrugged. “Suit yourself. The invite is there if you want it.”

She peeled off the leggings, leaving her completely naked save for the tiny black strings crossing over her skinny hips. He watched her saunter into his bedroom, the twin flat planes of her ass moving as she did. His dick twitched with some interest at the sight of a bare and willing female, even though he wasn’t into stick-figure women. Dodge gritted his teeth in anger as his body betrayed him. The last thing he needed was to get involved with Mallie again, but it was second nature to him to take care of her.

With a soft curse, he lifted himself off the sofa to straighten up his apartment and ignore the woman in his bedroom. He put away the leftover pizza and crushed the box into the trash can. Mallory had left the two articles of clothing on the floor. He picked them up, folded them neatly, and placed them on the kitchen counter. Jesus, how many times had he done this? Picked up after her for years, and not just clothes?

He had to walk through his bedroom to get to the bathroom. She smiled at him as she slipped under the covers. The bristles on his toothbrush were wet, and he guessed Mallory had helped herself. He kept a pack of extras under the sink and pulled out a new one. The cap was already off on the toothpaste tube, and he found it on the floor next to the discarded hand towel. He replaced the cap and hung the towel back up.

Only a few days. I swear, only a few days.

She was in his queen-size bed and had artfully arranged the sheets to bare her upper half. “Last chance, honey. Sure you don’t want to share?”

He reached for a pillow and snagged the folded quilt he kept at the end of the bed. “I’m sure.”

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