Page 43 of Frank's Felon
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’m not a screwup.”
“Now say it without rolling your eyes.”
She exhaled. “Fine, Guard. I’m not a screwup. Are you happy?”
“Better, Lily.”
Her jaw tightened. “I told you I don’t like being called Lily. I let Tess––”
“You let her because she’s family, but you mean a lot to me,Lily, so I’ll make a deal with you. You stop calling me Guard and Mr. Connelly, and I’ll only call you Delilah or Del. I think I deserve at least that much from you.”
“Deserve why? Because you gave me an awesome orgasm a few days ago?”
“Then you admit that was the best you ever had?”
“It wasn’t the best.” She tucked her hair behind her ear, and he laughed.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
Eventually he’d tell her, but not now when he needed every advantage. Convincing her to stay was going to be an uphill battle. “Do we have a deal?”
“What should I call you then?"
“Frank. Or asshole even. I really don’t care as long as it’s from your heart and you’re not using the name to put up another damn wall between us.”
“That’s fair. Deal.”
“See, that wasn’t so hard.” Already he felt the weight of so many months of unresolved anger lifting. His Delilah made everything seem right, whole again. “How do you want to celebrate?”
“What exactly are we celebrating?”
“We just agreed on something. Sounds like cause to celebrate.”
“And just how does one celebrate around here? I don’t exactly see any fancy restaurants to go eat.”
“What I want to eat isn’t on the menu at any restaurant,” Frank said as his hand covered her mound.
Delilah’s eyes darted around. They could still be seen from the central compound which was a high-traffic area. “Out here?” she asked.
“You think I’d like another male see what’s mine?” Frank asked, his brows arched.
“I’m not yours.”
“Yet. Really, Delilah, for such a bright female you’re having such a hard time with one small word. Y. E. T. Yet. Say it.”
She curled her lips inward and shook her head.
“You’re stubborn,” he said as he grabbed her hand. Frank found himself smiling in that moment. “Come on, I have a surprise for you.”
The hike to Long Tooth Cave took a half hour, giving Frank plenty of time to unwind. Even though they hadn’t talked during the walk, just being with Delilah, holding her hand, was enough to calm him. He felt complete with her, but even now, she looked unsettled. Despite all the progress he’d made, Frank was losing her.
* * *
DELILAH
She wished Frank would tell her what had happened back there with Tess and Damien. Frank had never had a cross word with anyone, and in just a few minutes he had glared at his alpha, and stormed out of the house, only to come back in and growl at Tess who had never hurt anyone in her life. That Frank should growl at her didn’t make sense.
Whatever was bothering him, apparently he didn’t feel he could trust Delilah enough to confide in her. Delilah’s wolf whimpered. The fault wasn’t Frank’s. Delilah had been holding back the truth from him. Sure, she’d put up some walls, but it’s not like she had a choice. Frank was damn good at breaking down those walls, though.
