Page 49 of The Explorer
I turned to see her watching me with a seductive smile. “Are you available?” she asked.
“Ehhm…” I cleared my throat still not used to being hit on by a woman.
Her sweet giggle accompanied her index finger running down my chest.
Before I could answer, Aubri pushed the woman’s hand away. “Don’t fucking touch someone without consent. That’s rude.”
The woman gaped with apparent confusion, but Aubri was already pulling me out of the room.
“You didn’t have to do that. I could have handled it myself,” I told her as we walked down the long narrow service corridor again.
“Would you be okay with a man touching my breast like that?”
“No.”
“Same thing.”
“It’s not the same thing. I wasn’t in danger from her.”
“I think we’ve just established that I’m not in danger from the men here either. None of them are trained fighters like we are.”
“They could still overpower you if they worked together.”
“Except I’m always with you and you’d never let that happen.”
I made a sound of confirmation. “Next time, let me handle it, okay?”
Aubri stopped and spoke with a bratty attitude. “I’m sorry… do you want me to go back and get her for you? Want to bring her home to our apartment and fuck her?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“No, but it’s what you’re implying.”
“No.”
“You made it sound like I came between you two.” She raised her voice a little, and feeling annoyed I matched her volume.
“Because you did!”
“Then go back to her, Indy. I’ll find my own way home.” With a huff, Aubri turned to leave. The corridor was dark, lit only by the flashlights carried by Banni, Val, and Alex, walking ahead of us.
“Stop!” Grabbing onto her upper arm, I forced her around and stepped into her personal space. “I’m your protector and I’m not leaving your side.”
“Not even to fuck some French temptress?” she hissed.
“She’s not the one I want to be with.”
Aubri was shaking and her breath was ragged as we stared at each other in the dim light.
I wanted her to ask me who I wanted to be with, but she didn’t. My feelings for her seemed so obvious but it was like she refused to see them.
“Is everything all right?” Banni called to us in a hushed voice.
“Yes. Everything is fine,” I responded with frustration and let go of Aubri’s arm.
CHAPTER 13
The Repair Shop
