Page 159 of Paradox
"Shhh." Eden's hand drops from the wheel again, and his thumb traces over my lips. "I was lucky to fall into something I love. I love being a tattoo artist. I obsess over it. I need the outlet. That's why your bookshelf is covered with designs."
"You're so lucky."
"I know. And I'm good at it. And I make a lot of money. An insane amount for someone who barely scraped together enough credits to graduate high school."
"Brag much?" I feel my lips stretch against the pad of his thumb as I smile.
"Yes. You heard what I just said."
"So stupid."
Eden presses harder against my lips. "I know it's rare to be in my position, so let me give you everything I can."
"I'm not with you for the handouts."
"They're not handouts. You don't need to pay rent because I own the apartment. And asking you to chip in for food would be dumb, as long as you keep cooking like you have been here."
"I won't be a kept bitch."
"For the love of fuck. I don't want to keep you locked up and only waiting for me to get home. I'm trying to tell you that I want you to take as long as you need to find your thing. And if younever find it—who gives a fuck? I'll be happy to support you as long as you keep trying."
I roll towards Eden, unzip his jacket, and bury my face into his sweatshirt because I don't know what to say.
With a dry chuckle, Eden cradles my head. "You'll still need to work, though. Just something part-time. But the money will be yours. And I'll never ask you for any of it as long as you keep working towards something bigger… I want you to shine, Jin. I want you to fight. I don't want you to conform. I never want to stop questioning authority, or standing up for what you believe is right. It's why I fell for you. It's why I know I'll never stop loving you."
I look back up at him. "Really?"
"Really. Because I know you don't actually need me. You're a hustler. You'll do anything to get what you want."
"I got you."
"You sure did, Little One."
I wrap my arm around him as best I can. “And I’m never gonna let you go.”
Swapping hands on the wheel, Eden reaches out to grab my butt. “You better not. Cause nothing’s ever gonna be able to replace this.”
Pushing his hand away, I sit up then crawl onto his lap so I’m facing him but leaning to the side. “Is that all I am to you? Just a piece of ass.”
He slaps his hand against my backside and squeezes. “You're the best piece of ass.” And even though it doesn’t hurt, I squeak anyway because I know he likes it when I do.
“I hear your ass is pretty good, too,” I joke.
“Who have you been talking to?”
"Word gets around."
"Does it just?" It feels like he wants to say more, but Eden just goes silent—the truck continuing to shake as the chained tires make their way through the snow.
Content, I rest my head forward on his shoulder.
"Would you wanna find out?"
"What?" I sit back up.
“Do you think you’d ever wanna fuck me?”
My eyes widen. “Are you serious?”
