Page 80 of Tantalizing Kings

“But you didn’t see me as anything but a friend, right? I don’t see the big deal.”

“I didn’t want you in the way I want you now, no.”

“I don’t like the way you left.” She turns away from me. “You didn’t even say goodbye.”

“I know,” I whisper, my gut churning. “I’m sorry.”

She looks over at me with tears in her eyes, and my fucking heart breaks. “You come back into my life, claiming me as yours after leaving me alone for years. And while I get it now why you had to go, can you see how crazy it is to me that you say these things? What if I let you back into my life and you leave again? Words are pretty but they mean nothing to me.”

“I’m never leaving you again, Sadie.” I cup her face, brushing a tear from her cheek. “I’ll take a step back. I’ll do my best to keep my possessiveness to myself. Let's hang out more, get to know each other as the people we’ve grown into. Let me show you why I’m yours, and you're mine.”

“Okay.” She nods. “But there's a few rules.”

I groan. “I hate rules.”

She grins. “Sorry, big guy, but it’s either you follow my rules, or the deal is off.”

“Fine,” I growl.

“In school, you are my teacher. We are not friends.”

“Okay, but only until second semester. Then I’m not your teacher, and I can hand your file over to the other guidance counselor.” The idea of someone else having personal information on my girl makes me feel unsettled, but if it’s something I gotta do to have my girl, I’ll do it.

“You still need to act professionally in public.”

“Deal. Next?”

“I’m keeping my deal with the Host Club.” She stands her ground, raising her chin.

“Fuck no,” I growl.

“You don’t have any say in this, Collin. You are my friend right now, that's it. This is my life, and I will do as I please. Anything between me and the other guys is none of your business.”

“But you're mine.” The idea of their hands on her makes me want to fucking rip them off.

“Just because you say I am, doesn’t mean anything. I am my own person. I don’t belong to anyone. This is not up for discussion. If you can’t agree to that, then we're done here.” She places her stick down and turns to walk away.

I panic and step in front of her. “Okay. As much as I hate it... okay.”

“That means hanging out with them outside Host Club activities and events,” she adds.

“Fine,” I grind out. “But I don’t want to know anything about you and them.”

She smiles and dammit, I can’t even be mad anymore. “Alright then, I look forward to becoming good friends with you, Mr. Jones.”

We play the rest of the game. After a number of questions and more back and forth banter, Sadie ends up winning. I don’t even care. Her little happy dance makes it worth it.

I invite her to the rooftop where there's a fireplace and lounging area. We spend hours laughing and talking. I realize, now more than ever, that this girl is mine. I’m never letting her go. No one has the power to control me. She’s my end game, and I won’t let anyone get in my way.

But I also realize tonight that I need to change the way I’ve been going about this. Sadie will push back if I keep coming on strong, and I could end up losing her. I won’t allow that. So, I’ll rein myself in, just a little. Because I’m playing the long game.

After a few minutes of her not speaking, I look over to see her passed out on the chair. She’s snuggled up in the blanket, her lips parted as she sleeps soundly.

I lie there on my side and watch her. I can't believe she’s here. She grew up to be such an amazing woman.

A breeze makes me shiver and Sadie stirs. I don’t have the heart to wake her up, mostly because she would leave if I did. So I carefully scoop her up and carry her down the stairs. She murmurs in her sleep and curls her body toward mine. She lets out a contented sigh, and I want to keep her here forever.

Would it be wrong of me if I just locked her up in my room?

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