Page 31 of Dangerously Yours

“Do you know where I was headed after I left the party?” When she shook her head, I pressed my forehead to hers. “I was on my way to a club where a group of hot women were being entertained by my friends. I know that I can promise you I won’t betray you in that way because as soon as you messaged me, I reversed course and came straight here. I didn’t want, nor need, those women. I only want and need you. If you would stop fighting what’s happening here, you would see that you only need me, too.”

That was all I needed to say before I picked Lulu up, then carried her into her bedroom. From there, I tried my best to back those words up.

Now a few nights had passed since that conversation where I believed I managed to get through to her, although I still had no idea what the hell this was that we had going on. And more importantly, I still didn’t know when it had happened. I was losing my mind which was why I had asked Daxon to come over. I knew if anyone could help me make sense of all of this withoutjudgment, it would be him. I hated that I felt as if I couldn’t talk to Callum or Gabriel, but they were insistent that I was making a mistake. They could be right, but I had to see this through.

I heard the chime of the bell, and got up to answer the door. As expected, it was Daxon, and he had a six pack of craft beer which had been made locally on the south side of the city. “You sounded like hell, so I brought reinforcements.”

“Thanks, man,” I told him, then grabbed one of the bottles. After removing the top, I moved to my leather sectional and took a seat. Daxon grabbed a beer too, but he chose to sit down on one of the matching chairs. I suddenly got the impression that I was in a therapy session of sorts. “This isn’t a professional visit—" I started to tell him until he chuckled.

“No, you needed a friendly shoulder. Feel free to talk or not talk. That is fine, too.”

I narrowed my eyes at my friend, but finally decided I did need a friend at the moment, and he was the most level-headed of us all. “I know you’ll probably judge me after you hear what I have to tell you, but...”

“Whatever it is, just spit it out, Noah.”

“I’ve met someone.”

“That’s great. Who is she? Anyone we know?”

Bracing myself for his reaction, I answered truthfully. “Yes. The woman I have been seeing is Lucy Davis.”

“Lulu, like Cade’s Lulu?”

I growled. “No. Lulu, like my Lulu. That bastard did nothing but lie and cheat on her the entire time they were together. You andI both know they’d divorced. Hell, you were the one to tell me about it.”

“Yes, but?—”

“I’ve been seeing her for weeks now, and I think I’ve fallen in love with her.”

“Wow,” was all he said, withholding judgment which I appreciated. “Have you two.. ahh...”

I smirked having read his eyes.

“Yes, and it’s not just that. I can’t really explain when it happened, or even how, but I think about her all the time. There’s not a moment that goes by when I don’t want to see her... talk to her... be with her.... be inside of her... I’ve lost all interest in other women, and I already consider her as mine.”

“Interesting.” I was about to ask him what he meant by that, but he continued before I could. “Does she feel the same way about you?”

“She likes me a lot, and wants to be with me, but she is still hung up over what Cade did to her.”

“That’s understandable. The two were married for over fifteen years, and they have three kids together. The ink is barely dry on their divorce papers, Noah. How is she supposed to feel? It’s not unreasonable to believe she is a little gun shy about jumping into a new relationship.”

“God, I hate when you make sense.” Daxon chuckled at that, and started drinking his beer. I nursed my bottle in my hand as I sighed. “I don’t want to pressure her.”

“Then don’t, Noah. I’m not saying to ignore your own feelings, or to stop seeing her. I’m only saying to give her time to figure things out in her head. Women are remarkable creatures, and very resilient ones. You’re a great guy. Everyone knows that which is why all these women want to be with you. It’s more than being a famous football star, or a Titan. You’re very grounded, and mature beyond your years.”

“You make me sound like such a bore.”

“On the contrary, it makes you even more appealing to the opposite sex. If Lulu doesn’t already know what a great catch you are, then she will, butin time,” he told me, placing extra emphasis on the last two words.

“What do you suggest that I do?”

“I can’t tell you that,” he replied, but then set his beer down as he received a text message. Before looking at it, he stared straight at me. “All I can do is ask that you remember a breakup is still an ending, and there is a grieving process. I would be there for her, but I wouldn’t put any pressure or impossible expectations on her. I mean... who knows? You could get to know her better and find out this is merely some temporary infatuation. Or you could find that it is exactly what you’re thinking it is right now. If that is the case, and she feels the same, the two of you will know.”

“Thanks,” I responded.

“Lulu, though. Huh?” My friend chuckled, then looked down at his phone. “Do you mind if I make a phone call?”

I shook my head, even though I wanted to know what he found so funny. I would ask him later. Standing up, I walked to the kitchen, finished my beer, then tossed the bottle in the garbage. I looked over at my friend once or twice as he paced back andforth. I was assuming by his concerned expression that it was a patient, but I certainly wouldn’t pry. Finally, when Daxon disconnected the call, I rejoined him.

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