“What’re you talkin’ about?”
“No touching,” I say.
“No interfering. Just friends.”
Yes,this is exactly what I need.
A good old-fashionedno-touchingpact.
His gaze spills across my face.
“You fuckin’ serious right now?”
I shrug. “You said you didn’t wanna lose me over bullshit, right?” I lift my chin. “Didn’t want me gettin’ hurt by some girls? Cool. We won’t give anyone a reason. We’ll stay outta each other’s way.”
He’s shaking his head.
“Nah. Nah—fuck that. Not happenin’.”
He stares, calling my bluff.
I don’t blink.
He does.
“Allison, no?—
“you got no clue what goes on down there.”
His hand scrapes through his hair.
“Ain't called House of Virtue for a reason, angel. Nah. It’s sweat and sex and people fuckin’ in booths, guys fuckin’ grabbin’ asses, girls gettin’ fingered on the floor like it’s a free-for-all.”
Jaw tight, his eyes trace my body.
“Guys're gonna see you and lose their fuckin’ minds?—”
I roll my eyes,
and his palm comes out, cutting the air.
“—Nah, don’t give me that look. I mean it. You act all humble and shit, like you don’t know, but you?” He swears under his breath. “Most gorgeous girl I’ve ever seen in my life.”
I lock up.
He's not the type to toss out pretty words.
Not about faces. Or bodies.
His compliments aim higher.
Who I am. What I do.
And this? Only the second time he's slipped.
It hits my chest all over again.
He exhales hard, voice breaking?—
