Still. Why the fuck did I say that out loud?
“Jesus, Prue. I’m not serious, but if it means you will take my money.” I shrug, trying to gloss over how appealing the idea is becoming.
“I’m not taking your money,” she repeats, not addressing the proposal of marriage at all, which I’m grateful for. “Just take me back to Cameron’s so I can cry in peace.”
“You can’t stay at Cameron’s tonight. Not alone. Maybe not ever,” I say. My plan was to take her back there to grab some things before taking her back to my place.
“Why?”
“Do you think that piece of shit ex of yours isn’t going to come back? I’m pretty sure he is putting a bounty on my head as we speak. If not him, your father.”
“They aren’t that crazy.” She folds her arms over her chest. “Not crazy enough to stab themselves. Mr. loves his car so much doesn’t seem the slightest bit concerned about bleeding all over it,” she counters.
“It’s used to having bodily fluids in it.” I smirk. She leans over, pressing her palm over my wound. “Jesus,” I hiss. “Give a guy some warning before you cover his bleeding wound.”
“Give a girl some warning before you decide to ask her to marry you.”
“I was joking.”
“I’ve had a long day. I just want to lay in my bed, watch stupid chick flicks, and cry.” She sighs. “Alone,” she adds, leaning back in her seat. Some of my blood sticks to her hands, and I’m pretty sure if I wasn’t bleeding out right now, my cock would be hard.
Never knew I had a blood kink, but it seems she is creating new ways to get me hard.
“You can lay in my bed, watch all the shitty movies you want, and cry, while I sleep on the couch.”
“No. My bed.”
“No. Mine.”
“You’ll have to tie me up because I’m not staying at your place any other way,” she snaps.
“Okay.” I nod. “Have it your way. Lucky for you, I already have the handcuffs.”
“You don’t,” she says, her mouth dropping open as she studies me. I just grin. “You wouldn’t.”
“I do. And I most certainly would.”
My plan to take her back to Cameron’s died the moment she decided to push back against my plan on keeping her at my place, so instead I head straight to my condo.
There is no way I’m leaving her alone. I don’t trust her father, her ex, or herself to not cause problems. She is safer by my side. I don’t give a shit if she wants to watch movies and cry. She can do that in my room, but I’d have to be dead to let her be completely alone right now.
I’ll grant her space and grace, but she needs me around right now.
When we pull up outside my condo, she reaches for the handle, pulling on it. I was fairly sure she would try to make a break for it the moment she could, so I switched on the child safety locks.
Smiling, I slip out of the car, grabbing the bag from the store, before walking to her door. I yank it open and take ahold of her hand before she can even think about bolting. I’m in no mood to chase her right now.
“I’ll make a scene,” she says as I pull her from the car.
“And I’ll make a bigger one.” I shrug, leading her to the lobby.
I keep my grip on her wrist firm, but not tight as we take the elevator to my floor. She keeps as much distance between us as possible. When the door opens, she tries to plant her feet, but I’m stronger, even hurt, so I just tug until she gives in and follows beside me.
I gently push her into my condo the minute I unlock it, doing up the half a dozen locks I have on my door. It buys me time if she tries to run. Gives me a chance to stop her.
“I was hoping to take you back to Cameron’s so you could get a few things, but I didn’t trust you to leave there without kicking and screaming, so here we are.”
“Smart.” She glares at me. Her arms folded over her chest, as her hip sticks out.
