Page 69 of Anger Banger

Her sigh is reluctant, and she looks away from me while she explains. “I’m not good at choosing partners. Lila and Cara had a sort of intervention with me about it and I realized they were right. I jump into things with the wrong type of guys.”

“Like your ex from the bar?”

“Exactly. They seem nice and fun, but eventually I get a call to bail them out of jail. Or they’re only with me for a place to stay and a car to drive. Until they cheat or steal from me. You know the type.”

I knew I should’ve kicked that guy’s ass.

“A break to get perspective seemed like the best choice.”

I don’t like the way that she’s moving away from me. I’m not sure she realizes she’s doing it. “That’s understandable. You deserve better. I’m going to need a list of names and addresses to go beat the shit out of them.”

Her lips twitch with amusement. “Absolutely not.”

“Fine, then just tell me the one you hate the most. I’ll follow him around and step on the backs of his shoes.”

It’s good to hear her giggle. “Tempting, but no.”

“You know you’d never have to worry about those things with me. I’ve never been to jail, never stolen anything, never cheated on anyone. I’m not going to use you for a place to stay. I wouldn’t be dependent on you like that.”

Her face creases and I’d give anything to know what’s going through her head when she replies, softly, “I know.”

“Do you want to see other people?” My stomach tightens at the possibility that she may say yes, sending a little pain through my stitches.

“No.”

“Do you want me to see other people?”

The flash of anger across her face gives her answer before her terse response. “No.”

Her body tenses when I pull her closer to me. “I’m not trying to talk you into something you don’t want. We’re sleeping together, spending our free time together, and we’re exclusive. We’re already in a relationship, whether you use the word or not.”

Seconds tick by in silence while she absorbs my words. Finally, she drops her forehead to my chest. “Damn it. You’re right.”

Not exactly what a guy wants to hear but at least her tone is light.

“How did that happen?” she jokes.

“Don’t feel bad. I’m irresistible. Everybody likes me.”

She peeks up at me with a tiny grin and shakes her head. Her nails scratch lightly over the scruff on my jaw, then she presses her lips to mine. Her eyes appear the darkest blue in the dim room when she looks at me. “I like you. Too much, honestly.”

It’s on my tongue to tell her I love her but there’s no doubt she’d run like hell. She isn’t ready to hear it. Not yet.

“You’re not going to start being nice to me, now, are you?”

“God no. You still drive me crazy.”

I’ve spent all week at Maren’s place, recovering from the surgery. I don’t know what I would’ve done without her. She handled everything when it came to managing the trailer park along with taking care of me. I’m not in pain anymore, but I’m under restrictions from the doctor not to do any physical work for another week. Which also includes sex, unfortunately.

“Where are you going?” she asks, when she sees me putting my shoes on.

“To see if the arborists have finished taking down that tree. And the grass needs to be cut again so I’m going to grab a weed eater and?—”

“No, you aren’t.” She plants herself in front of me with her arms crossed. “What part of no work for another week did you not understand?”

It’s really cute that she thinks she could stop me.

“I feel fine.”

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