Page 73 of Mariposa
“Oh, I’m not some fuck boy that falls in love fast.” He points to the ring on my finger with his blade. “I’m a man who’s going to use all your holes and make you forget about the one who put that meaningless ring on your finger.”
His hooded eyes meet mine, my breath catching in my throat. Kade doesn’t talk much, but the filthy words that are coming out of his mouth have my panties soaked. I chew the inside of my lip as his chest rises and falls fast, matching my shallow breaths.
He doesn’t get to do this to me—to play with my emotions and then retreat. If he wants me as badly as I want him, he needs to prove it.
“Don’t you fucking dare run from me this time,” he snarls.
“Is it really me that’s been running?” I point out, raising one brow.
I know I ran from him the night of my birthday at Penny’s house, but I couldn’t deal with his rejection. He’s the one turning me down because he’s scared of the way I make him feel.
“Yes,” he responds sharply.
“I don’t believe you.” I turn off the Humvee, jump out of the vehicle as fast as possible, and run into the nearest building I can find. I’m not sure what I’m doing, but what I do know is that he has my blood heated.
I want to melt.
I want to give in.
I want him to remind me how good it feels to let go and break the rules.
No remorse. Unforgiving. And rogue.
I believe he takes life a little too seriously, and he’s still capable of smiling even though he’s been through dark times. Booker didn’t give me any details, but I would like to make him laugh again and realize I’m not so bad.
Running away, I push into what looks like a medic closet full of kits and supplies. I lock the door, biting my lip. I keep walking back until my back hits a shelf, making me jump out of my skin. His loud, heavy footsteps thud behind me as he chases.
What the fuck am I doing?
And why does being chased after turn me on so much?
Two loud knocks rock the door.
I don’t respond as my heart pounds harder against my bones. A pulse in between my thighs soars as I watch the doorknob rattle. I should feel bad, but I don’t. I want him. I’ve wanted him since I first laid eyes on him. I wanted him even more when he showed me I was stronger than my fear. No one gets me like he does. No one listens to or sees me like he has or pushes me past my limits like he has.
I. Want. Him.
My phone vibrates. I pull it out of my pocket, and my eyes narrow at the ominous, threatening message. I still don’t have his number saved. He has my number because Booker created a group chat for the mission.
Unknown:
You think a door will stop me?
Me:
Last chance, Kade. If you want me, you’ll have to prove it. Walk away now. You aren’t a man of your word.
I wait silently for the next five minutes, staring at our private messages. Nothing comes through—not even a blinking typing cloud—and disappointment hovers over me. My lips press into a grimace, and my back sags against the shelves.
He really walked away.
Of course, he did.
Shutting off my phone, I unlock the door. With bated breath, I wait for any type of sound, but nothing happens. Twisting the knob, I walk out into the hallway, twisting my head to the right. The small on-post clinic is closed. No one is here. The small waiting lobby is full of empty chairs. Not a single person sits behind the empty front desk. The only sound is the heavy air conditioning running through the ceiling.
A shadow swallows me, and I react quickly. I close the door on Kade once again and lock it. My hands shake with excitement and vengeance as I walk away from his riotous knocks. My chest heaves stormily, brewing with lust.
It grows quiet, making my brow quirk.
