“You really like this girl.” It’s a statement, not a question.
“I don’t know. Why you askin’?”
She lifts her bony shoulders. “Known you a while now. Never seen you like this before.”
I’m saved from whatever nonsense Sadie wants to reminisce about by the doc callin’ my name out.
“Later, Sadie-girl.”
The tests ain’t anything I haven’t done before. The lecture I get also isn’t new. The fact that I actually pay attention to it is.
Karina’s still not done when I go back into the waiting room. When she finally emerges, she’s flushed and nervous lookin’.
I pay the bill Sadie hands me and take my little bitch home.
Karina
Still mortified from the doctor’s visit, I don’t have much to say. It’s a good thing we’re riding Dante’s bike to his house, because words won’t be expected of me.
I’m shocked when we pull up to the serene log cabin up in the mountains. The grass is a little overgrown, but otherwise it has a well-cared-for appearance.
“Haven’t been up here in a couple days,” Dante explains as he helps me off the bike.
I take in the big Dodge pickup in the yard. “Grocery getter,” he says, watching me.
Sure, that makes sense.
He takes my hand, leads me up the porch steps, and into the house. It’s a little musty inside but otherwise neat and orderly. He walks through the house, throwing open curtains and pushing up windows.
“You can set your stuff down,” he says, nodding at the couch.
I drop my backpack there and take in the living room.
Everything is nice, but sparsely furnished.
Dante stalks closer. When he reaches me, he takes my hands. “You’re the first woman I’ve brought here.”
That can’t be right. He’s obviously dicking me around. But as I look up into his eyes, I have my doubts. “Really?”
“Yeah, I told you—you’re different.”
“Why? You barely know me.”
He squeezes my hands until I meet his gaze. “Don’t know why. Don’t care. There’s somethin’ special about you I like. A lot.”
“I like you too,” I whisper.
“Good. I gotta know though, there’s nothing between you and Hemi anymore, right?”
“No. Not in a long time.”
“Okay. You’re in my bed and no one else’s, understand?”
Heat shoots straight to my center. He wants me. Long term. That’s what he’s saying, right?
“Dante, that means you’re only with me, then too. Right? That girl, Sadie—”
“Don’t worry about Sadie. She’s history. Your pussy’s the one I want to be inside, baby.”
