Page 84 of Red Flag, Green Light

I angle my entire body away from him to protect my pretty necklace, which matches the gold dust around the hems of my current outfit. “Are you fishing for compliments, Mars?”

“Fishing?” His lips part. “Why would I want a waterlogged compliment that depletes the ocean of its natural inhabitants? No, I’d neverfishfor a compliment… If, however, you’ve any organically and ethically sourced compliments for sale, I might be interested.”

“What department of the compliment store are you looking to survey, villain?”

“How’s the personality section looking?”

“New stock.”

“And the physical appeal department?”

I might be melting beneath the bright green heat of his eyes. “Overflowing.”

“Are there any deals today?”

“Senior discount.”

He laughs. “Fond of seniors, are you? Is that why you were offering to bake scones for a crotchety old man earlier?”

Wincing, I turn the heart of my pendant between my fingers and glance sidelong at my coffee table. “I was just trying to deescalate the situation.”

Mars kisses my cheek. “Don’t do that anymore.”

“It’s a disease.”

“I noticed.” He kisses my jaw, and tension eases from me. “I’d prefer you only expend so much energy on people willing to return it.”

“Like you?” I ask.

His fingers slip through my hair, drawing it away from my neck. “Like me.” He kisses, right above the chain. “Only me, even.” His nose skims my throat. “Wouldn’t that be nice?”

I think it might be. Only worrying about one person instead of compulsively trying to please everyone I come across sounds alot less exhausting.

Well, at least it’s a lot less exhausting in a world where I am actuallycoming acrosspeople. In my little fortress of solitude, I should only really have to worry about myself, and the impending loneliness that I quell with a constant stream of books and work.

While volatile enough to bring me to tears sometimes, fictional company remains as safe as phone calls and messages. I can hang up just as easily as I can close the book…scream at the cover…and hurl it across my room…

How odd that my lifestyle is built continuously on the desperate need for control, yet I yearn for the peace and relief that comes from giving it up into hands that won’t hurt me.

Mars curls a finger beneath my chin and looks at me. “What pretty thoughts are racing behind those eyes of yours, little goddess?”

Breath catches in my chest, but I press on through the stickiness in my lungs. “You’re very…male lead.”

“Am I? Of the books you read? How worrisome.”

Unbidden, a smile curls my lips, and I sag against Mars.

His arms coil, strong. “What’s wrong, my dearest love?”

“Nothing. This is the best birthday I’ve ever had.”

His hold tightens. “We will have to fix that, for my own peace of mind.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For caring enough about me to put all of this together. I know it took a lot of time and effort. I appreciate it so much. I appreciate you so much. I…can’t express how much I’ve needed someone who…who was willing to learn me.”

---