Page 51 of Truth
“You’re dangerous for me, but I’m more dangerous for you.” His eyes are sad as he pulls back, opening them hazily. It’s as if he’s saying goodbye to me.
“You’re my reason. Take everything, break me. Figure out a way to forgive me, King, because I know what I want. Don’t stand in the way of us.”
“Stop. It’s too late, Drew.”
Pushing my hands away, he backs away, retreating into himself.
“No, it’s not. You will listen because what I have to say is important, and you will stand there and listen, dammit.” My voice is demanding. He rakes his hands through his hair and begins to pace the room, reminding me of a caged animal—beautiful on the outside but deadly.
“My head was so fucked. I had just ended things with Nick, and meeting you sent my world upside down. I was so afraid that I couldn’t see things clearly, that I was making a decision based on lust, and I didn’t want to find myself drowning in regret a year later. But…”
“I get it, Drew. I understood that night. You think I’m just another guy that will break your heart or treat you like shit. You didn’t trust me; you didn’t believe in what we could be.” He waves me off as he walks back to the bar. So, I follow, my anger increasing with each step.
“You aren’t hearing me, King. I trust you.” I slap my hand down on the bar to get his attention. “I didn’t trustme. I wanted to be right in my head; I wanted to be able to be me, for you. Goddammit, I just needed a breath so that I could be here, all of me, not the fragile broken version I was. I needed to tie up loose ends so I could start again.” I let out a breath and take the drink he’s poured for himself from his hands and tip it back, downing it in one burning gulp.
He grabs the glass from my hands and pours himself another drink. “I don’t do that… what we did. I just fuck.” This time it’s him gulping down the scotch. “I don’t talk or cuddle or remember what the hell anyone’s hair smells like…” He takes a strand of my hair between his fingers and lets it slip through. “And I don’t talk about my mother to anyone. Ever.” He walks a few steps away, before turning to look at me. “I can count the number of people I trust on one fucking hand, but you breeze into my Church and it took twenty-four hours to have me willing to kill for you. You don’t know what I’m capable of. You don’t know who you’re making a deal with.”
That’s it—he’s holding me away because I make him feel vulnerable, and he isn’t a man that can afford to feel that way. He’s wrong about one thing: my eyes are wide open to the man in front of me. I feel the weight of what he is capable of, and I still want him. Everything comes into focus, and I know what I have to do.
“I don’t care. I want you. I’ll take you any way I can get you. But I’m here, King. Always. Just give me tonight. You asked me for one night, one night to win my heart. Give me the same. One night. You have nothing to lose. Come on, I’m standing here practically nude…cut a girl a break.” I cock a hip, placing my hand on it, slightly jutting my chest out, and grin.
Looking at me for a hard moment, he pours another drink but only drinks half, handing the other to me. “You’ve got one night, gorgeous.”
My smile mirrors his as I grab the drink and down it, sealing our deal.
WHAT THE FUCK HAVEI gotten myself into?I’m incapable of saying no to her. Every time she looks at me with those big blue eyes and that pouty mouth, I’m done. My judgment is seriously impaired, but moreover, my heart is in real jeopardy of dedicating itself to beating only for her.Fuck. Who am I kidding—it’s been beating only for her since we met.
I told myself it was just an itch to scratch; then I reasoned that lust was just a strong fucking emotion. I’m a man and men think with their dicks too often, but she’s never been that. The moment I laid eyes on her, I was compelled to be next to her. It felt crazy, as if I wasn’t in control of my own body. Even now, while I wait for her in the ladies’ room, I want to bang the door down just to be near her. I’m losing my mind.
“Drew,” I bellow out in the empty space, my voice carrying through the room.
“So impatient.” She laughs and rolls her eyes, zipping up the side of her jumpsuit. God, she’s fucking sexy. All legs and attitude. I gave into her the minute she walked back into the damn club. I lashed out trying to hurt her, but she saw right through my bullshit. I needed her to see through it, to fight for me, for us. I needed to know she understood the depth of what I feel. I wanted to put up a bigger fight, but she’s right; I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I hurt her.
“I am impatient. The clock is ticking, and you’re still my least favorite person.” I turn to hide my grin.
“Dick.” She slaps my arm when she reaches me.
“God you’re insatiable, gorgeous. How can you be ready again so quickly?”
“Stop it. I was calling you a dick, not asking for it, but I think you know that.”
I shrug and grab my jacket from the bar top as I head toward the door. “You better pick up the pace. It’s creepy when the lights go off.” She speeds up to grab hold of my arm, as I chuckle. “Where to?” I ask her as we exit the doors and I turn to lock them. She seems lost in thought as we walked down the four steps to the tree-lined sidewalk. “I assume you have a plan since you are wooing me and all.” Looking at her standing in the silhouette created by the night and the streetlights makes me want to pull her close and kiss her.
She places her hand on my chest and rubs gently. “Yes, I do. We are going to my house.” Her faux confidence is cute; she doesn’t have a plan.
“Ah, I see, because we went to mine before, so now it’s yours…got it.” Without thinking, I tuck my arm around her waist, pulling her close. It’s a natural instinct but one that makes me wish for her the minute we will inevitably disconnect.
She looks up at me, and I can see the hope in her eyes. Breaking contact, she looks around and then back to me questioningly. “Should we call a cab, or do you have your driver close by?”
“Driver, but I thought we could walk for a while.” My arm squeezes her waist as we walk. “Truth or Dare?”
Her lips curl into a knowing smile. “Truth.”
“Tell me something nobody else knows,” I challenge.
Leaning into me, she wraps both arms around my middle, snuggling into my chest as we walk. “Something nobody knows? Not even my mom or dad?” she asks.
“Yes.”
