Page 108 of A Dark Duet

“No, you are not an object. I don’t think of you as an object. I think of you as mine.”

Getting comfortable in the passenger side, not used to sitting and being driven in my own sports car, I begin telling her how I feel about us. I’m going to open up to her like I should have done the six months we were officially together. My feelings for her have run deep because she’s the one woman that I have allowed to be around, she has respected my wishes and never pressed me about what I was doing or where I was going.

She had every right to question me about Janine three years ago and I was a total asshole, and she deserves better but the attraction I feel and always felt is still strong and I’m going to act on it.

It is hard to find someone in your life that cares about you and can love you as a person and not what you have or judge you where you came from. Especially when you have this strong connection to each other. I’m just going to try a different approach. I want to start over if she’ll give us a chance. Give me a second chance.

This time, slower. I clear my throat and glance at her profile, admiring the way she looks without makeup and dressed in my hoodie, she is still the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. Briana always reminded me of a platinum Barbie or a pinup doll. She’s a knockout and definitely would stop traffic with her looks by just crossing the road. She just has that effect on people.

“What happened back there, I wanted it, but at the same time, I know that asshole touching you triggered bad memories and I wanted my memory to be the last one you remembered.”

She grips the steering wheel as she maneuvers the car effortlessly toward different fast-food places until she parks in the parking lot at a place called the Cookout. Barbecue is her favorite food, and I can’t blame her. The smell coming from the place is heaven.

I continue as she places the Zenvo in park and shifts in her seat toward me. “When I asked you about how you were feeling, it was because I was afraid of taking advantage of the moment. That I acted out because you were vulnerable.”

Her eyes find mine as she bites her lip. I keep going, asking her what has been bugging me in the back of my mind because whatever her answer is, then that would determine how I will move forward. How I’m going to handle the push and pull I feel toward her.

“I know I have asked this but I’m going to ask you again. The reason is that you were quick to call him and I’m not going to be dishonest and tell you it doesn’t bother me because it does. Do you love him, Briana?”

She knows I’m referring to Ethan. The tension in the luxury cabin of the car ignites and it’s almost stifling. She places a loose tendril of blonde hair behind her ear and answers the burning question as I wait, taking a deep breath.

“No, Jaden. Like I have said before, I am not in love with Ethan Carter. Whatever happened between us was based on a written contract in exchange for money toward finishing my program. He saw an opportunity for whatever personal reason, and he took it and so did I. There was—”

I raise a hand, interrupting her. “I’m not judging you. I am part of the blame in putting you in that position. I wasn’t there for you like I promised I always would be. I’m aware of what transpired and believe me, I offered to pay the money back, but he refused.”

“What?” Her eyes widen. “Why? You had no right, Jaden.”

“You heard me. I went to see him and told him to leave you alone and offered to pay back whatever he has given you to terminate the agreement. You are not a whore or an escort for hire. I had to ask if you loved him, because if you do, I’ll walk away. I care that much about you, Briana.”

Her eyes turn glassy, but she looks away. I’m wondering what is going on in that pretty little head of hers.

After a few agonizing seconds, she asks, “What now?”

I smile and slide my fingers through hers. “Let’s sit down and eat, and I will tell you.” We order food and sit down outside on the outdoor seating. Some people recognize me and take pictures and videos whispering my cage name, “The Destroyer,” but other than that, they leave us alone.

Grabbing a napkin, I get up from my seat and walk up to the order window where and borrow a pen, watching the girl blush in front as she hands me the pen. The sign from the road behind me displaying my face and my opponents with bright lights can’t be missed. It’s obvious I’m the same guy painted on the billboard sign. Scribbling something on the napkin, I hand back the pen and walk back toward the outdoor table and take a seat across from Briana while she rolls her eyes upward, clearly enjoying the food.

“What’s that?” she asks between bites of her pulled pork sandwich. She leans her head slightly, looking at the napkin to what I wrote. It reads,Please go on a date with me? 702-555-0341. It is the same thing I wrote to her in the diner when Nate and I first realized Briana and Giselle worked there after we saw them dance that night at the Porcelain Dollhouse in South Dakota.

When she looks up, she grins, remembering that day. “Are you asking me out, Jaden ‘The Destroyer’ Cyprus?” she asks, teasing me.

“Yes?” Hell yes. My ego set aside; I would definitely ask her out like a teenage schoolboy.

She slides her tongue over her lips, licking the barbecue sauce from her mouth and my cock strains in my pants, wanting to slide inside her wet heat. I shift in my chair, trying to calm my raging hard-on, wishing my cock was what she was licking.

“It depends. Where are you planning on taking me?”

“I’m planning on taking you to dinner and a movie.”

She quirks a brow. “That would be a first. I have never been on a formal date before. Not like that.” She wipes her mouth and takes a sip from the plastic straw of her drink.

“I would like to take you on many dates if you’ll agree. I wrote my number on that napkin because you most likely don’t have it saved in your new phone even after I texted you. Sometimes writing it on paper makes it seem genuine.”

“You’re right. I don’t have your number saved but you have mine. Funny, I don’t remember giving you my new number when I saw you at the club.”

“I have my ways,” I say, giving her a grin. “I want to taste your skin and find those hidden secrets you keep.” My eyes flick to hers and her eyes are staring into my own, seeking. Searching.

Briana

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