“Sort of.He got a little fussy and started to refuse the bottle.Apparently straight from the source is how he wants it and I left my pump at my house.”
“Can you blame him?”He grins, the kind of smile that weakens the knees of all Red River Canyon’s single ladies, and even those who aren’t single.“Why do you need your pump?”
“Because I’ve been drinking.I need to express or risk his first words being, ‘pass me a whiskey, Mama’.”
“You need me to go get it?”
“No.it’s fine.I’ll just hand express a bit later.”
“Need a hand?”West says with a chuckle.
I grin and snatch his beer, taking a small sip.My heart races and the word “yes” is right on the tip of my tongue, but I need to know something first.“What was it you were trying to tell me in the truck?”
The smile disappears from his face, and he looks at me for a beat too long.“I don’t remember.”
“Really?It seemed pretty important.”
He takes his beer from me and draws a long pull, effectively draining every last drop.When he comes up for air, he says, “Nope.Can’t remember.Must’ve had one too many of these.”
“Bullshit,” I mutter under my breath and close my eyes, leaning back against my lounger.
“What did you just say?”
I sigh and get to my feet.“I think you heard me.”
West’s eyes narrow.“Somethin’ on your mind, Dais?”
“Nothing.I’m tired is all.”I head for the door.“I’m going to bed.”
“Hey,” he comes up behind me and turns me to face him.“Don’t walk away, just say whatever you need to.”
“You first, West.”
A beat passes and I swear my whole world hangs in the balance as I wait for him to meet me halfway.Please meet me halfway.He doesn’t say a word though, he just watches intently, searching my gaze.“I’m tired.Tired of waiting, tired of never putting my needs first before anyone else’s.Tired of not rocking the boat.”
“So you’re gonna call bullshit and just walk away, no explanation?”
“Why not?Being an aloof asshole works for you, right?”
His brows knit together and he lets go of my arms.“Never pegged you for a mean drunk.”
“I’m not drunk, just tired of settling for men who don’t see my worth.”
His eyes turn mercurial and a muscle pops in his jaw.“You think I don’t see it?I fucking see it, Dais.I saw it before you did.”
“Then what do you want from me, West?What are we doing here?I live in your house, sleep in your bed, but you won’t touch me.”
“That what you want?”
“Honestly?Yes.That’s what I fucking want.Your fingers in my hair, your lips on mine, and your head between my thighs.”
“Then why the hell didn’t you say somethin’ sooner?”
“Why should I have to?If you were reading the damn signs, I’ve been telling you for months.”
“Woman, shut the hell up.”West grasps the back of my neck and pulls me closer.He presses his lips to mine, hard, insistent.I’m so shocked, I don’t kiss him back, and he pulls away.“You sure you want this, Dais?Don’t seem like you’re trying all that hard.”
“Screw you.”
