I rolled my eyes. “Why does that suck?”
He leaned in again. “Because I’m in love with you.”
I gasped just as his mouth covered mine and he took advantage of that, sliding his tongue against mine. It took me a second to recover and I pushed him away, stepping back for space. “Why the hell did you do that?”
“Have I got your attention now, Tate?”
I narrowed my eyes and let out a hiss. “Are you trying to teach me alesson?”
He crossed his arms. “That depends.”
“On what?”
“You gonna pull your head outta your ass long enough to hash this out with me?”
I jabbed a finger at him. “You are beyond the pale, Parker Wallace.”
“I love you, Tate. How is that beyond the pale?”
“Because you’relying.”
“Let me be clear, baby, because we are never going to have this particular conversation again. I have never, not once, ever lied to you.”
I shivered when he called me ‘baby,’ and I didn’t like the power he had over me. “Then why are you starting now?” I retorted.
“Do you really think I’m lying to you?” he challenged.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I don’t actually know you anymore, Flash.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Do you think I ever lied to you back then?”
“Well...” I sighed and reluctantly admitted, “No.”
“So, what makes you think I’d start lying to you now?”
He had a point, but I wasn’t done being mad at him, so I didn’t respond.
“Tate?”
“Yes, Flash?” I whispered.
“Look at me.”
“Nope, I’m good,” I said to my feet.
His boots appeared in my sightline as he touched his feet to mine. “What do you want, Tate?”
“From you?”
“Sure, we’ll start with that.” He cupped my chin and put gentle pressure on it, so that I’d raise it to meet his eyes.
Lordy, he was pretty.
“You interested in exploring something past our friendship?” he asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“You willin’ to take the time to work this shit out?”
