Rejected—again.
Numbness washes over me, and a defensive wall snaps into place. “Whatever.” I sit up and stare into the dim cabin. I’d return to my seat, but I’m positive Grant has taken over the entire row by now. “You should’ve traded me.”
He scoffs. “Are youtryingto infuriate me? Since you clearly need my attention and won’t stop until you get it, why don’t you explain why you’re so pissy?”
“This.” I gesture sharply between us. “Thisis why. One minute, you want me, the next, I’m nothing.” My body vibrates with pent-up aggression; my eyes burn with tears of frustration. “Maybe I wouldn’t have to infuriate you if you gave a shit.”
His harsh gaze softens, and he seizes my wrists, his tight grip oddly comforting. “You’re shaking—take a breath.” Only after I comply does he continue. “That’s not true, and you know it. Stop listening to your toxic thoughts—they’re lying to you. Tell me what I did wrong. What did you expect me to do about Reece?”
It comes spilling out, all my insecurities and vulnerabilities whispered in the dark. “Defend us. Tell him we’re together. You haven’t once said it. I respect your need for secrecy around the team, but is this it? Fuck buddies while traveling, nothing more?”
He glances away, bites his lip, and hesitates before replying. “Does this have anything to do with me not…reciprocating?”
It takes me a beat to understand. Then it hits me, and my face twists. “No. I’m a giver. You’re a pillow princess. I don’t mind.”
“What?” His brows knit tightly together, and his lip curls. “I am not.”
“Ahhh…” I tilt my head and eye him pointedly. “You are, but you’re a giver in other ways. I’m good with it.”
He releases my wrists and strokes his trimmed beard. He relaxes into the seat, the two of us facing each other. “But I’m not…giving in other ways. That’s what you’re telling me. You don’t feel secure. You’re hurt and lashing out, pushing me to fill the void.” He doesn’t ask. He states what I struggle to identify inside my own head. “I didn’t tell Reece because he knew I loved you before I admitted it to myself. He’d tell me my love for you blinded me to the way you treated Aurora.”
I roll my eyes. “And yet, you always keep the peace for him. You two havemeetingsto discuss issues while I get throat grabs and threats.”
A wicked grin lights up his face. “Would you rather we had meetings, baby? You were itching for a fight a minute ago.” Leaning closer, he lowers his tone. “I bet if we were alone, I’d have that anger and shitty attitude fixed real fucking quick—with my fist wrapped around your throat and my cock stuffed in your mouth, a few threats for good measure.”
My gaze drops to my thickening erection.
“Exactly.” His grin widens and crinkles his eyes. “Reece and I don’t have that dynamic.”
“Thank fuck.” I’d become totally unhinged, worse than I already am. I can’t even imagine.
He grazes his thumb over my cheekbone. “Reece is responsible for himself, his family—Aurora,and their relationship. I keep the peace for our girl.” He weaves his fingers through my hair and cups the back of my head. “Youare my responsibility, not Reece.”
His mouth meets mine in a slow, languid kiss, forbidden and intoxicating.
“I want you,” I whisper against his lips. “I have the urge to burn down anything that keeps you from me.”
He stifles a chuckle, and his warm breath caresses my skin. “I see you’ve amped up the crazy.”
“Crazy in love with you.”
He releases a heavy sigh and presses his forehead to mine. “Give me until the end of the season. I’ll figure it out. Do you want to go elsewhere, skip the wedding?”
“No. I’ll go…and fuck you in their house.”
“Shut up,” he hisses. “You will not be fucking me.”
“Okay, fine. You fuck me, but we’re fucking.”
“No, we are not.” He retreats, ending the debate. “We’ll go to the wedding, help Reece through it, and then fly to New York for Christmas. You can love me all you want there.”
“You promise?”
“I promise.” With one last kiss, he reclines his seat and shuts his eyes. “Set up the loft. Rocco says it’s mostly complete. Surprise Aurora. Fill the entire place with gifts. We have an amazing life and a baby on the way—focus on that.”
Why does he always end up being right? I mirror his posture, rest my head on his shoulder, and interlace our fingers. Just for a few minutes, I tell myself. “Does this mean you’re not punishing me when we get to the hotel room?”
“Oh no, baby boy. I’m still punishing you. Get some rest.”
