Page 42 of Who's Saving You
But her voice is husky. Her body doesn’t lie. And as I stare at this beautiful, infuriating woman in my shirt, sitting on my counter like a dare, I realize something that turns my blood to ice. She’s already in this. And I don’t just mean the danger, or my story. She’s under my skin. I’mprotecting her not just out of obligation but because I want to. I want her in my space.
And that might be the most dangerous thing of all.
She swallows hard. “You think they’ll try again?”
“Naí. I know they will.”
We stand there, frozen, both caught in the realization that we’ve crossed some invisible line. And somehow, the danger outside only sharpens what’s happening between us.
“I hate this,” she mutters. “I hate needing you.”
I let out a low, rough laugh. I know now isn't the time. But it’s late, the adrenaline is still running through me, and to be honest, I've never known a woman like her. I had a girlfriend in high school, but my life has always been football. I’ve had an occasional one-night stand in college, but since my senior year, I've avoided being alone with a woman—no dates, no chances for trouble. My sister always reminded me how fast it can come crashing down because of one wrong choice with the wrong person.
If they only knew how close I am to it crashing every day.
But Noelle. She’s not a girl or a jersey chaser. She’s a woman who knows what she wants. And she’s sitting here half-afraid, half-not, waiting for some kind of answer.
I step in closer, lips barely a breath from hers. “You hate needing me?” I question, eyes locked on hers. “Funny, it looks to me like you crave it. Like you’ve beenachingfor someone to take control and you hate that it’s me even more than you hate that it turns you on.” My eyes flick to her lips, linger, then back to her gaze, and I keep pushing. “You chose that shirt to wear, with my name on it. Why? Just to test me or test yourself?”
“You’re so fucking arrogant it's disgusting.”
I scoff. “Say whatever you want, Noelle. Lie to me. Lie to yourself. But this right here?” I brush along the edge of her thigh with my thumb, my hand still firmly planted on the counter beside her. “This isn’t hate.”
She stares at me, and the silence is deafening. She drops her eyes from mine, her head falling loosely on her shoulders. And for a moment, I debate just walking away from her.But I can't.And when she raises her head again, eyes full of fire connecting with mine, I know walking away from her is going to be impossible to do.
TRICKIE NICKIES
Me: Slow week?
Soba: What do you mean?
Me: Haven’t heard from either of you in days
Soba: I’ve been busy playing football
Me: Yeah? That's what we call it now?
Soba: Why? What do you call it?
Me: Preparing for my Super Bowl ring
Soba: Keep dreaming
Me: Speaking of dreaming, where’s Loving? I haven’t seen any Instagram stories lately
Soba: Drillers got him on lockdown. There’ll be no drilling where he’s involved.
THREE WISE WOMEN (SOMETIMES)
Sloane: So how was it?
Me: What?
Sloane: Don’t play coy, you little minx
Olivia: Or should we say cougar
Me: I’m busy
