“Austin, I don’t follow my thoughts. I listen to my heart, and that’s scarier than any risk I’ll ever take.”
“Come back to my house with me,” I tell her. Fuck everything. Fuck my past. Fuck my future, and fuck everything in between. I want this girl. I want her now, and I’ll give her a million reasons to stay if that’s what she needs. I didn’t want to be a factor in her decision to stay or go, but I was lying to myself when I came up with that thought. I hardly know a thing about her, but she sees life through the same colored lenses I do, and it’s a rare trait to find in someone. I have to know her more. I need to learn her ways of battling the world around us because I’m envious of the shield she proudly holds in front of her.
“You want me to come back to your house?” She chuckles and slides her foot down the wall she’s been leaning against. “Well, since you asked so nicely.” With a raised brow, she steps out in front of me.
“Miss Scarlett, will you please join me at my house tonight for dinner and—a movie or something?” I try my hand at charm rather than dominant firmness because I think I’ve only perfected one of those tactics.
“It depends,” she says. With a questioning smile on her face, she pulls a pair of sunglasses from her purse and slides them over her eyes while continuing to walk ahead of me. This chick is going to take every damn opportunity there is to torture me. Yet, I’ve thrown all caution to the wind; ready to endure every single damn weapon she intends to use on me.
“What does it depend on?” I play her game.
She pauses and stares at me with what appears to be a serious intent, seeing as her tell-all eyes are now covered. “Well, what time are you planning to walk me home?”
I’m about to throw her over my back and carry her to my house like a goddamn caveman would, but I’ll be a gentleman, even if it’s just for show. “Miss Scarlett, I will walk you home whenever your little heart desires. How ‘bout that?”
“Fine, twist my arm,” she says.
“I’m gonna go ahead and say no to that, seeing as your arm is injured, but I’ll lead the way.”
