Page 19 of Mine

I raised a brow. “Then ask me.”

She stared at me, her posture tensing. She didn’t like being told what to do, and yet I knew she craved the release of it. Of not having to make decisions.

Pepper crossed her arms, giving me a hard stare that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I could see why she was the CEO, why she ran her own company, and why the entire world moved around her like she was a boulder lodged in a stream. “Come home with me.”

Hah.“I saidaskme.”

Frustration flashed, hazel eyes burning holes into me. “Salt, will you come home with me?”

I smirked. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Pepper scoffed as I reached for her hand. She shook her head and pulled away before we touched, glancing around us.

I may have thought she was paranoid, but peoplewerewatching us. I glanced around too, but I didn’t recognize anyone. And I knew Tommy was still inside the bar dancing the night away with his husband.

Pepper exhaled sharply. “People know who I am. I don’t want any rumors starting about me going home with someone half my age.”

“Half your age is a pretty big leap.” A really big leap, actually. “Besides, we’re two consenting adults. Age is just a number.”

She didn’t say anything else as she started down the street. It didn’t take much to keep up with her, though. Between my long legs and the fact that she was in heels, we settled into an easy walk down the block.

Silence wrapped around us, giving me time to think. I sucked in the freezing night air, turning my attention to our surroundings. The blinding lights that flashed at open bars, the countless people going in and out, the echo of music from within. Country, bluegrass, rock, Americana, and even some punk and blues. All blending into an orchestra of comfort that settled deep in my chest.

I knew these streets well. The building where I’d met Nancy years ago was a few blocks over. It used to be a club, but it was now closed down, and for good reason. I craned my head back as we passed a high-rise, the bars spacing out as we made our way to a part of the city I didn’t belong in.

The part where she lived.

I studied her without shame this time. The silver strands that framed her face were tucked behind her ears, her expression cool and unyielding.

There was something about her. The twelve years between us didn’t matter to me. It might to a lot of people, but not to me. If anything, it only made me wonder why someone else wasn’t with her.

Who was Pepper? Who was the woman that moved through life like a shark, but was otherwise in desperate need of a net?

She glanced up at me, dark brows furrowing before focusing her gaze back on the sidewalk.

“Stop staring,” she snapped.

“Never. I think you’re beautiful.”

“I bet you say that to everyone who throws themself at you.” She didn’t like being told no. “You’re just a flirt.”

Well, I was a flirt. “I am flirting, but you’re also beautiful. Both can be true.”

A long sigh. “Maybe I’ll change my mind. I shouldn’t do this.”

“That’s fine,” I said nonchalantly, but decided to add, “I wouldn’t be mad if you did. Because I’m not going to fuck you unless you’re begging me to, Pepper.”

FIVE

PEPPER

I’d lost it.Truly, I’d lost it. What was I doing?

I’d been unable to keep from going to him. After his set ended, I blinked and was waiting in the hall. Then torturing myself over standing there like some idiot.

But I remembered his voice.

The stranger that brazenly called me agood girlin broad fucking daylight. The words had awakened something in me.

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