Page 16 of Mabilia

He wants me to be his. I don’t think he knows what he’s asking. He doesn’t understand the risk involved in being with me. I need to warn him, but how do I do that without: One, scaring him off? And two, revealing too much about my family?

“Say yes. It’s a simple thing,” Tommy tells me when I don’t reply.

“Why?” I ask him. “Why do you want me to be yours?”

“Because the thought of you being with anyone else doesn’t sit well with me, and I like you. You’re interesting. You’re easy to talk to. You’re not judgy of my… ah… life. And you’re insanely beautiful. Any man would be stupid not to want you to themselves.” Tommy kisses his way down the side of my neck as he says this.

“It’s not safe for you to be with me,” I whisper.

“I’ll take the risk,” he counters.

I sit up and turn around. So I can face him. “No, you don’t understand. It’s really not safe. My… well, there are people who wouldn’t think twice about killing you just for touching me,” I tell him.

“I know,” he says.

“And you still want to be with me? Do you have a death wish? Is this some sort of assisted-suicide thing?”

“No. I just want you. Let them come at me, Mabilia. We owe it to ourselves to explore whatever this thing between us is. I know you feel it too, otherwise you wouldn’t still be here.” Tommy reaches out and pulls me against him. My legs wrap around his waist.

He’s right. I do feel something. I’m not a hundred percent sure what it is, but it’s there. I wish I could put a name on the feeling, but it’s foreign and honestly a little frightening. Tommy might be willing to risk his life. I’m not too sure I am, though. I like him alive.

“Okay…” I whisper. I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this. I barely know this guy. I mean, he could be a psychopath.

The smile that graces his lips is huge. His eyes light up. “Okay,” he repeats. “So, I should take you on a second date then.”

“You should.”

“And not to In-N-Out Burger.” He laughs.

“McDonald’s?” I ask him.

“Nope. I’m going to pick you up from school tomorrow.”

Tomorrow.“Shit, what time is it?” I push away from his hold as I frantically look around the room for a clock.

“No idea,” Tommy says.

“I need to get home before a search party comes breaking down your door,” I tell him, getting out of the bath. I pull a towel off a shelf and wrap it around my body.

“How would anyone know you’re here?” Tommy asks, following me out of the tub.

“My dad tracks my GPS location on my phone,” I explain.

“Makes sense. If I had a daughter who looked like you, I wouldn’t ever let her out of the house.” Tommy smirks, running his eyes down my body.

“Trust me, if he could, my father would lock me away.” I laugh. “Where’s my dress?” I call out over a shoulder. It’s not where I left it on the floor.

“What dress?” Tommy walks into his closet. He returns with a shirt and a pair of sweats. He hands them to me. “Put these on.”

“Where’s my dress, Tommy?” I ask him again.

“No idea what you’re talking about.” He returns to his closet. I can hear him ruffling around in there.

He stole my dress. I can’t believe he stole my freaking dress. I really liked that dress. I smile to myself. If he wants to date me, he’s going to learn real quick that I won’t be told what I can or cannot do. Or wear. I throw on the shirt, then the sweats, rolling the waistband up a few times so they actually stay on my hips.

I find my phone and send my cousin Aurora a message.

Me:

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