From the stiff set of his shoulders underneath his polo he was definitely mad at me.
“Ravik’s going to need you to stop staring at him like that, sugar. He can’t take it.”
I didn’t realize I was now the one staring at Ravik like a creep until Boone said that.
What was wrong with me?
Another flush of embarrassment heated my entire face as I turned to Boone on the stool.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make him uncomfortable. I just… I just can’t be what you guys want. I’m not going to sleep with any of you—not because I’m judging your lifestyle or anything, but because I just don’t have it in me.”
This wasn’t something I was used to. It felt so scary to speak my truth. But I made myself be brave and forced the words out. “I’m never going to sleep with you. And if that affects how you treat me—like, if all these nice things you’re doing for me stop when sex is off the table, then I guess…”
I swallowed, but lifted my chin. “Now’s your chance to kick me out.”
“I…” Boone started to talk, then stopped again, his gaze sliding over to Ravik, even though he still had his back to us.
Another long, long silence.
Then Boone rubbed the back of his neck again.
“Yeah, I think you’re right,” he said with a chagrined look. “We’re going to have to kick you out of here. Today.”
16/
new home
BOONE
Zion had spent half of lunch complaining about having to go back to teach for the rest of the school day “while I’m urgently needed here,” and the other half insisting that I wouldn’t fumble the ball on Operation Sugar Cookie while he was gone.
I know Zion’s a shit-ton smarter than me, but with respect, he was dead wrong about my ability to run this play while Vik did his quiet first maul thing.
I knew I’d fucked up as soon as the words about putting her out left my mouth.
Hurt flashed across Bell’s face.
Only for a few seconds, though. A brittle smile replaced the hurt look in the next instant. “Okay, then.” Underneath my red flannel work shirt, she squared her small shoulders with a tight little nod.
I wanted to kick my own ass.
She’d come out here looking for proof that we were assholes, not bears who’d love her right if she just let us. And, like an idiot, I gave it to her by kidding around about kicking her out, right after she drew her line in the sand.
“Bell…”
“I’ll just…” She looked all around, like some tourist in need of directions. “I’ll just go get my things.”
“Fuck, Bell, that’s not what I meant.”
Didn’t know what I hated more. That I’d hurt her or that she was trying to act like I hadn’t.
Either way, she hopped right off the stool to pull another one of her Bell-running-away specials.
“C’mon, sugar, don’t do that!”
I got in front of her before she could flee again. Hands raised in the air so she knew I wasn’t planning on touching her. But I was using the fact that I was a monster truck to her cute little Mini to keep her where I wanted her, and we both knew it.
Another hurt look flickered in her eyes. She was so much smaller than me, but she had all the power here. Her visible disappointment blasted into my chest like backdraft.
