Page 90 of The Reluctant Hero

“Ace,” I struggle to calm my voice and get through to him. “We don’t know each other.”

“The fuck we don’t,” he snaps. “Give me the number before I take it through other means.”

What the fuck?

“Listen up, asshole,” I start yelling, leaning forward to put my face near his. “No one gets to decide what I do or don’t do anymore. Onlyme! You want to be a dick to someone? Go hit up the landlord because I’m not putting up with it!”

“But Gabe gets to, right?” His nose presses to mine, so I’m caught up in the fiery rage in his eyes.

“Not anymore. I’ve been backsliding ever since that shit started, and I’m done with it. He gets me as a professional, and that’s it. A game isn’t worth all the depression I’ve had to deal with. South is the one that made me really think about it, and I don’t regret spending time with them. You have no rights over me unless I say so!”

“I fuckin’ knew it,” his voice drops suddenly, the rage going down to a simmer. “I saw it, and Gabe was convinced it was an act.”

“I don’t care,” I insist. “I’ll walk in and tell him he won, so he’ll leave me the fuck alone. As a matter of fact, I’m going to pack up those files, and you’re going to help me carry the boxdownstairs so I don’t ever have to see him again. How do you like that?”

“I don’t,” he mutters grimly. “I want you close, not dancin’ in the file room without me.”

I’m not sure how to reply to that. I more headbang, but that’s no one’s business.

“Mikael told me about the bullshit game you both started. He thought you were fine, too. Cade and Jake are the only ones with a fuckin’ clue. It amazes the shit out of me.”

“I. Don’t. Care.” I tell him with firm claps of my hands to emphasize it. “The game is over as of today.”

He never has to know that his meltdown is what decided it. Seeing him treat me like an object instead of a person and seeing nothing wrong with it brought the situation into focus. They all treat me like something to move around wherever they want. I’ve been letting it happen. There has to be some kind of magical middle ground here. I just have to be motivated to find it.

“Alright then,” he nods, his brow furrowing more thoughtfully. “I’ll help, and I’ll go with you.”

My eyes widen in surprise. That was not what I was expecting. Motivation just found me.

“Why?” I blurt out with a fluttering sensation in my stomach. What is wrong with me? First, I’m screaming at him and now I’m waiting like a girl with a crush to see if he circles yes on the note I passed him.

“Because you won’t have to explain shit to them,” he tells me, his eyes flicking between mine. “I told them it was goin’ sour, and they blew me off. When I’m right on your ass leavin’, they won’t be able to pretend they aren’t dicks.”

“Oh,” I deflate. He does have a somewhat confusing but solid point.

“And I want you next to me all the fuckin’ time. I don’t even like you sittin’ at that desk without me.”

I blink in surprise as he grips my chin, and his lips slam into mine. My shock parted my lips, so it’s easy for his tongue to invade my mouth and take over. I melt into him like no time has passed since the first kiss.

He has a fierce concentration that’s devouring but savoring at the same time. It ignites me in ways only he can. A faint tickle of concern comes up and gets squashed when his arms wrap around me to bring my body flush to his.

“Missed you,” he mutters against my lips, placing smaller kisses along my bottom lip as I catch my breath.

“I’ve been right in front of you,” I protest weakly.

“Yeah. A picture that I can’t touch. I’m not doin’ it anymore.” The next kiss bends me back over his arm with force.

I grab his shirt at his waist to hold on because I need it. He’s making my knees weak as I meet his ferocity with my own. All the pent-up anger goes into it, leaving me biting his lip and licking the sting away. It sends a thrill through me that’s heightened when he moans.

It surprises me, too. I’ve never been this aggressive before, and I’m not sure what that means.

He starts walking backward, pulling me with him without separating us. When his tongue runs over the bite, it slicks across my lips making my breaths come heavier.

“Gotta get you to work,” he growls. “Gonna be late.”

“So?” I nibble along his jaw, and he slams into something, making him halt in his tracks.

“You’re layin’ the law down on Gabe, and we ain’t missin’ that, darlin’. Needs doin’. Get in the truck.”

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