Page 74 of On The Rocks

She ran down the steps. “Excuse me.”

“You heard me. You’ve been spicy since I made you come in the storage room. Wasn’t enough, Lenny?”

“I don’t need some overbearing asshole in my life.”

“Who’s overbearing? Because I want to be with you.” I hauled her into me and the scent of cider stuck to her skin, as well as the whiskey that had probably been spilled all over her during the evening. “Because remembering your skin on mine makes me want more?”

“And that’s fine, when we’re alone.”

“Ashamed of me or would you just like to keep me in a very specific box?” I lowered my face to hers. “I won’t fit in your pretty little compartments, Lenny. Never again.”

She frowned. “I don’t want this.”

“Liar. The minute I touch you I can feel your pulse going haywire. I can see it in your eyes, in the way you immediately sway toward me. You want this as much as I do, but the difference is, I won’t lie to myself about it like you are.”

“You have nothing to lose!” Her voice broke in a mix of anger and want.

“Because I lost everything,” I said darkly. “And I still want this. I wantyou.” I lowered my mouth to hers, a millimeter from her lips. “I want you.” I nipped at her lower lip. “It’s an ache, Lennon. As if there had been a piece missing and I didn’t realize it.”

I’d been alone a long damn time. Even in the band, for the last few years it felt like I’d been apart from them and their twisted games against one another.

Until the games targeted me and everything fell apart.

I cupped her elbows and lifted her off her feet. “But if you want to lie to my face, go ahead. If you want this to be just fucking, I’ll take that for now.” I crushed my mouth to hers.

She moaned and it hummed through me like a melody. Her specific notes, and the siren song that I nearly wished I never learned. Because now it was part of me, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to let it go.

She gripped my shirt, her little devil nails digging into my skin. I set her down and ripped my mouth from hers. “What’ll it be? If you want to go home, I can do that.” I’d lived a lie for a damn long time, and I wasn’t willing to do that again. “I’ll hate it, but I won’t beg.” The last words were little more than a growl.

“Why can’t you just let this be what it is?”

I stepped away from her. “Lies it is.”

“It’s not a lie. It is what it is. We have great chemistry. You make me feel good, and I make you feel good.”

I shoved my hands into my leather jacket pockets so I didn’t reach for her again.

She stepped closer to me, and I stepped back, my boot hitting gravel. “Why does it have to be all or nothing?”

“I’m not looking for undying love. I just can’t live my life with any more lies.” My heart throbbed in my head and my chest, and because it was her—my dick was also part of the equation.

“So, you’re dumping your baggage on me?”

“I guess maybe I am.” I lifted my chin. “If being honest is baggage, then we’re done here. I’ll get you home.”

“That’s not what I said, and you know it. I just won’t fit in your fucked up parameters.” Her eyes glittered. “Whatever woman fucked you up must have been a real piece of work.”

“It wasn’t a woman.” I blew out a breath. “Not a woman I was in love with. But if you want to have that discussion, we aren’t doing it here in the dark.”

“Fine.”

“Good.”

She stalked off down the walkway to my truck and I followed, my neck tight with tension. Fucking hell.

I couldn’t keep my goddamn mouth shut. I knew she was prickly as a damn cactus, and still, I pushed. Because I didn’t know what the hell I wanted.

Nope. That was a lie.

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