Page 112 of On a Fault Line

“What does that mean, Collins?”

“It means that I will get rid of him.”

She shakes her head. “Not that. And stop acting all hitman. You can’t just eliminate every guy that looks at me. What I meant was, how can I make someone stop doing something that I’m not even aware he’s doing? I don’t think Ivan was flirting with me at all. He is being nice.”

“Guys aren’t nice without a purpose. We’re basic like that.”

Her eyes narrow. “And now you are the expert?”

I sigh. “He is fantasizing about taking what’s mine.”

“Now you’re a mind reader?”

“He’s making it obvious, Pen. Wake up.”

“Cut him some slack.”

The only thing I’m going to cut is him into pieces if he steps out of line. “Why?”

“Because he doesn’t know we are bound together by a contract.”

“Quit making accommodations for someone who doesn’t deserve your kindness.”

“He’s my mom’s friend’s son, Collins. Chill. We aren’t going to get naked on the first date.”

“There will be no date,” I snap. I take a few breaths, trying to decide which approach I should use on her to get her to see reason. “Listen. I am jealous of every man in your past and present who has ever seen how beautiful you look when the wind catches your hair. I am jealous of anyone who has smelled how the sunshine warms your strawberry scent from your skin. I am jealous of those who have tasted the sweetness of your lips. Childhood friend or not, I don’t like it.”

“So you’ll scare him away like you did my boyfriend from Soulful Mind?”

Is she still not over that? “Well, I sure as hell won’t stand back and watch someone move in on you. If you don’t want a full-out war in your parents’ backyard, then stop encouraging Ivan’s flirting.”

“In my defense, male attention makes me horny.”

“What the fuck, Penny? Do you want me to lose all my control right here, right now? You do, don’t you?”

“Why Mr. Stone, that’s exactly what I want you to do.”

“Do you want him?”

After a long pause, I look down into the patio area at the group that is still gathered and then back into Penny’s crystal-blue eyes. I can feel the tic in my jaw starting at the mere thought of her pursuing another man while we are in a contractual relationship. There’s no way in hell I am sharing.

Having enough of this conversation, Penny makes her way through the back door to the house, meandering through the living room and working her way through the kitchen.

“Answer me, dammit.”

Watching as she pulls back her shoulders and grinds her teeth, I prepare for the fight it seems she’s ready to start. “The only thing I want is to be chosen. And unfortunately for you, some other guy beat you to the opportunity. It’s like I don’t even exist to you when I’m not in your bed.”

“Why do you provoke me and then expect me not to react?”

Her hands push at my chest, but I don’t budge. “I’m not doing anything to you. Believe it or not, I’m simply enjoying spending some time with my family and friend.”

“Why do you think I don’t choose you?”

“Because I basically had to beg on multiple occasions for you to even consider the possibility of being anus. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I was simply stating that fact.”

“You knew my reason for hesitating.”

“I did. But sometimes I yearn for a different type of closeness.”

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