Page 20 of Ward Willing
Scotty laughs good-naturedly and puts an arm around Zoe’s shoulders.Ah, there’s that urge to tear his arm from his socket again.
“I should get going. See you Saturday, Zo,” Scotty says quickly, placing a kiss on the top of Zoe’s head. He gives me a stupid, little wave. “Bye, Mr. R. Thanks for the chicken.”
Zoe gives him a quick peck on the lips and mutters a goodbye.
I say nothing as he walks out whistling a Fall Out Boysong.Poser.Once the front door closes behind him, Zoe pushes off the counter and walks both empty plates to the sink.
Captain Sushi comes out from his hiding place, nuzzling Zoe’s legs affectionately.
“You should stop being so mean to him,” she says, her voice low.
Her back is to me, andfuckif I can’t help the way my eyes travel south.
The way her high-waisted jeans accentuate the swell of her ass. The way her waist cuts in, and how her cropped, black tank top isjustshort enough to offer me a sliver of olive-toned skin. My fingers twitch at my side when I think of running a hand over the smooth denim and?—
Fuck.
My mind wanders to yesterday, when I saw her sitting in the front row of my class, legs crossed, looking like the perfect fucking pupil. I can’t deny that seeing her there—in the one place I was safe from the onslaught ofwantingher—caused something deep and possessive to settle inside of me.
And also had me adjusting my cock in my pants.
But she’s off-limits. Always and completely.
Leaning against the opposite counter, I cross my arms. “Not possible. He makes it too easy,” I grit out. “Leave the dishes. I’ll do them later,” I add, referring to the mugs and plates in the sink.
After shutting the water off, Zoe wipes her hands on the dish towel and turns to face me. Seeing howtiredshe looks is like a punch to the gut, and I sigh heavily as I let my eyes wander over her face.
“I can see the worry wheels spinning,” she says, a sardonic lilt to her voice as she reaches down to pet Captain Sushi. “Stop worrying about me. I’m tired but I’m fine. I’m going to finish my paper and then head to bed.”
And then she’ll be up at six to get the reading for her literature class done, and out late again with Scotty or her friends…My hand curls against the edge of the counter. “Stay home and rest this weekend,” I suggest, already knowing she’s going to fight me on it.
Her lips flatten as she looks up at me. “I promised Scotty I’d go to his gig on Saturday night,” she says immediately, as if there’s no room for argument. Which, for her, I guess there isn’t.
No matter how much I try, Zoe is going to push herself until she collapses. And there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.
“I already told him I’d go,” she adds, crossing her arms. Captain Sushi chirps for her to keep petting him. I swear, he’s more loyal to Zoe than to me. “And I happen to like the music.”
“Will it be another late night?” I ask, my voice gruff.
Her jaw hardens. “I’m not as delicate as you think, Liam. I can take care of myself.”
I want to screambullshit,but I don’t. Instead, I run my hand over my face and sigh again. “Let me come with you, at least. I can drive you and make sure nobody roofies you in one of those sketchy venues.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” I growl, feeling the anger rushing into my veins. “You’re out most nights either studying or with friends. You’re hardly home, and I don’t think you’ve slept longer than five hours for months. Not to mention, you’re taking an entireyear’sworth of units in one semester, something Scotty doesn’t seem to understand?—”
“Scotty?” she asks, cocking her head. “Is that what this is about? That I spend my free time with Scotty?”
No.
Yes.
My jaw tightens. “Of course not. I’m trying to look out for you.”
Zoe scoffs and looks away. “Right. You’re such a martyr, Liam.” Her words cut through me, and I instantly stiffen. When she looks back at me, her eyes are sharper. Sometimes I forget that she’s known me her whole life. She knows my tells, my tics, and the exact buttons to push. She’s always been too astute for her age. “How about you let me worry about myself and we go back to peacefully coexisting?”
“Fuck,” I whisper, rubbing my jaw. “I would if I could, but you apparently don’t knowhowto take care of yourself.”
