Page 51 of Rescue Us

“It’ll happen. We’re only just getting to know each other, babe. Can’t expect to spill all of our dirty secrets just yet.”

I laughed lightly.

“Tell me one thing about yourself. One thing you wouldn’t normally tell someone on the first date. I’ll go first.” He thought a moment.

Wouldn’t this be our second date since we had breakfast together already? And you also spent the night at my place...

A slow grin spread on his face. “That’s true actually. Okay, pretend this is our first date then.” He chuckled. “I enjoy getting into fights.”

I already knew that.

His chuckle deepened. “I couldn’t think of anything else.”

I kneed a guy in the balls once because he backed me into a corner, and I didn’t know what else to do.Why the hell did I just tell him that?

The smile fell from Cyrus’s face. “You should have kicked him in the knees, pet. He would have gone down much quicker. Surprisingly, a lot of guys can handle the pain of being kneed in the groin.”

I swallowed hard at the intensity rolling off of him. Pulling the paper napkin off the table, I started picking it apart piece by piece. The little bits of the soft paper, rained down over my dress and fell to the floor beneath me.

The spot beside me dipped suddenly.

My head snapped up, finding Cyrus sitting directly beside me. His body was turned toward me, almost like he was insisting on giving me his full attention.

I’m sorry,he signed, his long fingers moving with each word he spoke.I didn’t mean to upset you.

I placed the napkin on the table and brushed off my lap before grabbing his hands. I brought them to my mouth, kissing his fingers. It was a bold move on my part, one that I never expected to do, but I wanted him to know that he never needed to apologize. Not for the noise in my head, not for the anxiety rushing through me. None of it was his fault. At all.

His eyes darkened.

I was vaguely aware of the waitress bringing over our milkshakes and pie.

Cyrus murmured his thanks but never took his eyes off of me.

Clearing my throat, I dropped his hands and dished us a piece of pie each.

He inched closer, his hot breath fanning the side of my face. “I know there’s a passionate little sex kitten inside of you, pet, and I don’t care how long it takes either. Iwillfind her.”

Quickly grabbing my milkshake, I stuck the straw between my lips and sucked in hard pulls. I needed the drink to cool me off because as shy and timid as I was, he was right. She was inside me. Somewhere. I had hidden her to keep her safe until she found the right person to bring her out safely again. I longed for that part of myself. The part that didn’t care. The part that went through life with my head held high. I missed the confidence I once felt before it was stolen from me. She was strong, carefree, and knew what she liked in bed. I had always enjoyed being controlled but when that little known fact got into the wrong hands, it was used against me.

Cyrus’s eyes burned into the side of my head as he drank his own milkshake.

The longer time went on where he didn’t say anything, it was like his eyes seared into me even more.

I eventually couldn’t take it anymore and a huff left me.What?

Cyrus smirked but didn’t say anything and continued sipping his milkshake.

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head but I couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips. I never had this before. This flirting back and forth. This need to be around someone. Cyrus calmed me in ways I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to explain to him.

Taking a bite of the pie, the cherry flavor exploded on my tongue, forcing an unexpected moan from the back of my throat.

“Fuck,” Cyrus whispered.

My eyes widened at my slip up. I coughed, going back to eating and trying to distract myself.

“Ainsley.”

My head whipped around at the barked command of my name.

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