Page 151 of A Little Broken

“Hmm.” A pebble skitters across the sidewalk as her gaze falls to the ground and the toe of her shoe scrapes against the asphalt. “Can I ask you something?”

“You’ve asked me a lot of somethings.”

She rolls her eyes. “Why do you do it? Why fight? And why stop after becoming a rockstar? Or did you never stop at all and?—”

I lift my hand to quiet her. “Man, you’re full of questions today.”

“That isn’t an answer,” she quips. But the walls? They’re lower than a few seconds ago, proving she cares more about my honesty than whether or not I’m somewhat involved in something less than legal.

Giving in, I explain, “Growing up, I needed an outlet.”

“An outlet,” she repeats. A tiny furrow forms between her brows.

“Yeah.”

“And?”

“And fighting was my outlet of choice until Rafe was arrested.”

“And then?” she pushes.

“Then, I turned back to music and had my first taste of performing in front of people, which turned into my next outlet.”

“Which is why you started going stir crazy as soon as you got home,” she realizes.

“Exactly.”

She moves closer, dragging her fingers down my forearms before linking our fingers together. “And it’s why you agreed to participate in the underground fight.”

“Partially,” I concede. “Roman asked me to do him a favor. I figured it was the least I could do after everything that happened with Rafe.”

Her head tilts as she stares up at me before a small smile toys at the edge of her lips. “Well, at least it’s not drugs.”

Now that we’re toe to toe, nearly chest to chest, I laugh and reach for her waist again, tugging her into me. When she lets me, the last of my reservations vanishes, and I let out a sigh of relief. “Depends on how you look at it.”

“Oh, really?”

“We all have our vices.” My touch is gentle as I drag my hands along her bare arms, push her hair away from her face, and tuck it behind her ear. It’s still strange. Having thought about this girl for years. And yet, here she is. Within reach. And without her armor. My heart pounds harder as I take in the vulnerability in her gaze and the slight part of her lips. Damn, she’s beautiful. “Thankfully, I’ve found a new vice recently.”

“And what’s that?”

“Being with you.” I nudge her chin up and kiss her, tasting her smile as she leans into me, giving me her weight. And I like it. The trust that I’ll catch her. That I won’t let her fall. Hell, I’m not sure if she even realizes it. The trust she’s slowly giving me. Bit by bit. Or maybe she does. Maybe it’s why she pushed me on this, demanding I let her in and tell her what I’ve been up to.

When I pull away, she grins up at me, her brow quirking. “I’m your new vice, huh?”

“Yeah, Birthday Girl. I think you are.”

“Hmm.” Her eyes thin, but I don’t miss the curve of her mouth. “Nah, you just wanna see me naked again.”

Another laugh rumbles from my chest. “You have no idea, do you?”

“That I’m irresistible?”

“That you’re mine.” Unable to help myself, I kiss her again, savoring her sweet taste before resting my forehead against hers.

“So cocky,” she notes, lifting her chin. It’s a silent request. A tiny olive branch. A modicum of proof that she wants more, and I’d be a fool to do anything but give in. Pretty sure I’d give her anything, if she only asked for it.

Bending down, I kiss her a third time. “So, about our date tonight…”

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