Page 31 of Paper Thin Love

Even with his broken leg, I struggle to keep pace with him, my steps quicken to match his.“I need you to stop speaking to me like that,” I hiss, whispering fiercely, making sure my voice reaches his ears while keeping my chin tipped up defiantly.

“Why?” He begins to smirk, his pace slowing just enough for me to catch up, but he doesn’t stop moving forward.

I halt abruptly, forcing him to glance back over his shoulder. His eyes meet mine, and for a moment, the world seems to pause around us.“Because the truth is too hard to hear,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

He raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by my defiance, but there’s a flicker of something deeper in his eyes—respect, maybe.

“Finally,” he exhales.“You’re being honest. I said I need you as a friend, Mila. Friends have to be honest.”

Lord help me. I don’t know if I can do this, play mind games with a King.

I have no choice now, though.“So, are you going to be honest with me?” I step up to him.

“You don’t need me as your friend, Mila,” he replies. He’s speaking differently now—not ruthless, not cruel.

“What do I need you as?” I dare to question.

“Your fire.”

Chapter 11

Mila

Without a word, he turns and continues walking. Spine stiff, shoulders wide, I glance further down at his ass. Firm and muscular, and his legs…stop!

Rushing forward, I fall into step beside him, the tension between us palpable. It’s like gum sticking to the soles of our feet. Each step feels wrong, but we keep walking, ignoring that strange bubble trying to drag our feet down.

My fire?

Maybe he’s right; maybe his flare and sparks are what I need. Running in my world takes guts; it takes energy and fuel. Something I don’t have. I’ve been surviving, coping, numbing. Maybe I need to thaw, begin to feel, and grow enough emotions and fuel so I can one day be brave enough to take control of my own life.

As badly as I want to escape, I just can’t stop thinking about what it will do to my father. I’m all he has left after mom died. If I run, it will break him, but…I don’t think I can survive like this forever.

“Stop being selfish, Mila.” Dash snaps in annoyance as he slows and looks from left to right.

“Huh?”

“I need you to stop thinking about your future and help me with mine. Which way next, tour guide?”

I roll my eyes,“You’re unbelievable.”

“I know; you can bow down and praise me in your spare time,” he remarks, a playful glint in his eye. His blonde hair shimmers in the sunlight, like a male model in an Italian fashion ad. He’s really stunning; it’s just his wicked tongue that is the unfortunate part, that and his last name.

“I think another lackey would go to your head.”

His shoulders widen with pride.

“You’re not changing me,” I declare, crossing my arms defiantly.“I always act like this.”

“Sure you do. Tell me, is that during your dreams or only in your head? You and I both know that if I weren’t standing by your side, you’d crawl back into your shell.”

I bite my inner cheek. Damn him.

Maybe it’s his grace, but he doesn’t provoke me further. He nudges his head towards the large circular building to the right.“What’s that?”

“The cafeteria.”

He glances at his watch.“Let’s go eat.”

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