Page 48 of Show Me How
Frustration urges me to try harder. Ignoring me isn’t going to keep us from talking about her list or what happened this morning with Shelly. The only thing that could throw a wrench into this little plan we have going is for her to change her mind or have to go back home already. And Christ, that’s not what I want in the slightest.
Yeah, I shouldn’t, but I want to show her everything I know. The attraction between us is there, and I’m not the type of guy to let that pass without trying my hand at getting her beneath it. Millie isn’t my usual woman, and instead of stepping foot in a puddle of complication, I’m jumping headfirst into a pool of safe exploration. We’re not crossing any improper lines with this agreement.
Everything is clean-cut and simple.
“The shop is closed, princess,” I say.
Her leg stills. “Already?”
“It’s been empty for an hour.”
“Oh, I didn’t notice.”
“Because you’ve been so busy with paperwork or because you’ve been focusing on ignoring me?”
Slowly, she lowers her arm, still staring down at the desk. “I wasn’t ignoring you. I’m here to work, Shade. I don’t want to let anyone down.”
“Mm, and work you did. No disappointing happening here. Now, you’re off the clock and can put an end to what you’re doing. Come here,” I urge gently, moving my stool back from the leather table a few inches.
“You have to promise that you really won’t judge me for what I’ve put on my list. And I want you to go first.”
When she finally glances my way, it’s as she stands. Her hands collide, thumbs tapping on the backs of them.
“I won’t judge you, Millie, but I’m not going first. I don’t want you to just agree to everything I say because you’re nervous.”
“Couldn’t you be a bit more selfish?” she mutters, crossing the studio.
My grin is crooked. “I could, but I’m trying to be a good guy.”
“Aren’t you supposed to believe that good guys are overrated or something?”
I snort a laugh. “No, I’ve always rooted for the good guy. Most of the time, they deserve the girl more than guys like me do.”
“I don’t agree,” she bites out, and that bit of fire calls to my curiosity like a moth to a flame.
“Oh? Does that tone have anything to do with why you were at Peakside in a muddy wedding dress?”
A sigh slips from her lips, and I spread my legs to make more room for her in front of me. She takes the spot, her back against the tattoo bed and hand falling to touch it.
“The only type of man I’ve ever known is the one who should be the hero in every story. The Prince Charming with a carriage at the ready to take me back to his castle and keep me trapped there under the ruse of protection. Sometimes, it’s nothing more than a costume, Shade. I know you think I’m a princess, but that’s not who I want to be. It’s not even who I really think I am past the personality traits that I’ve been force-fed my entire life. At this point, I think I’d rather be a villain instead.”
Flicking my eyes between each of hers, I find the truth in her words. She chews her lip, allowing me to look without glancing away and hiding.
“You can be whoever you want to be here, Millie.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
I frown, rejecting the impulse to reach for her hand. “Why are you afraid?”
“Because I don’t know if I’ll have to lose that part of me the moment I leave. I’m not sure I could be happy again without it.”
There’s nothing I can say yet to help her. I don’t know the right answers to put her fears at ease. There’s still so much time left for her to explore, and she could be right. Once she finds out who she wants to be, there might not be any way for her to pretend anymore.
I know I couldn’t change who I am.
“Let’s just focus on right now. Read me your list,” I demand, working hard to keep my tone level.
Her breath skips as she drops her gaze to her pants. The outline of her phone is obvious in the tight material, and I poke my tongue into my cheek to keep quiet. She pulls it out and swipes at the screen before lifting her eyes again.
