Page 50 of Paper Thin Love

I want to know. I stayed up all night pondering it.

“Survival requires camouflage,” his eyes darken. He grabs my hand, moving it off his broken leg and placing it on my own thigh. I expect him to let go, but instead, he reassuringly squeezes my fingers.

His statement feels like a splinter embedded deep in the tip of my finger. I can’t get it out, so it’s stuck, irritating me, always interrupting what I’m trying to do.

He’s right; he’s much better at hiding his flaws than I am. Every glance, every touch from him, is a constant reminder of how exposed I am. This is all a mind game; nothing with Dash is real.

I need to remember that. We’re using each other.

Do you hear that, heart? When he kisses you, it’s all just a game.

I nod slowly, swallowing the lump in my throat.“I guess you’re right. You did say I was a predator. I suppose you’re just trying to keep your heart and mind safe from me,” I challenge, my voice trembling slightly. My words hang in the air, a fragile shield against the vulnerability that threatens to consume me.

His lip twitches, then he glances away as if I disgust him.“My heart died a long time ago.” He admits, then he stabs his pancake and shoves a double bite into his mouth. I should look away, but I can’t peel my eyes off his lips as they wrap around the fork.

“How many times have you told yourself that, Dash? How many times do you need to convince yourself of that lie?”

His eyes glance at Dante and Cillian. I know they heard me. I don’t care.

“It’s okay,” I state. I slip my hand out from under his and pat it before placing it on the table.“The art supplies prove differently. I’ll play your game, boyfriend. Just remember what you owe me in the end. Anything I want.”

“Anything within reason,” he corrects me as he slowly glides his fingers off my leg.

Is your heart within reason?

Why did I think that?

Dash is dangerous. He’s also insane. Those are two check boxes women try to avoid.

But… he’s also different, like a toxin slowly tainting me, making me want more.

He’s the bad boy you should stay away from. He will only burn you.But what if that burn is more of a tan and not third-degree? What then, Mila? Is it worth the risk to tango with this chemistry we have?

All these thoughts of back and forth feel like floodwaters rising up to my neck. I can sink, or I can try to swim in these shark-infested waters. Maybe Dash can help make me more predator than prey.

Dash raises a single brow, waiting for my challenge.“Eat up, little fox.” He slowly plays with his fork, pushing it against his bottom lip before he nips it.

It’s...kind of sexy.

I stab my fork into the eggs until it’s so loaded that pieces start to fall off.

“Happy?” I glare at Dash, then shove the forkful into my mouth.

Dante snickers.

Dash’s eyes darken.“Not nearly,” he mutters.

“You are thin,” Cillian remarks.

It hurts to swallow the large bite; it feels like cement rolling down my throat. Note to self: take smaller bites.“Compared to you, Cillian,” I reach for my orange juice,“everyone is thin.”

His brows lift as he nods.

“I dance over six hours a day. I’m just as much an athlete as a jock. My body is built differently, so stop judging me for my weight and start looking at my strength,” I retort with some sass.

I take another sip as I wait for their rebuttal, but when none comes, I glance up. Dante, Cillian, and Dash are all watching me. Their silence is terrifying.

What do they see?

---