Laughter burst forth from Hansel, the chair he had tipped so perilously back on two legs toppled sending him to the floor. Even as his back hit the wood he carried on laughing, great big belly laughs as if what I had just said was the funniest thing he had ever heard. And I could do nothing but sit there and take it.
It was my own damn fault for opening my mouth in the first place. I should have taken my own advice and kept my business, my business.
Clambering to his feet, Hansel righted his chair. “Ok let me get this straight.” He schooled his face into mock indifference. “She walked out, didn’t want an after sex snuggle? How very unladylike.” Off he went again, holding his sides as he giggled like a girl. “I’m sorry.” He held up his hand in apology. His shoulder still shaking. “I know it’s not funny. That must have been very hard for you.” The corners of his lips twitched.
If he didn’t shut up I was going to punch him. Friend or not, I was going to smash his pearly whites down into the back of his throat.
“I’m sorry.” His chest heaved, as he fought to get himself under control. “But you have to admit it's funny. She totally played you, brother, flipped the table.” Seriousness settled over his face. “And...wait, this bothers you?”
I didn’t answer him.
“Why does it bother you, Fang?” Any signs of laughter had left his face totally. He was suddenly all business. “You never wanted a woman to stick around... You…”
“He's got a thing for her.”
I glared at Monster who was eating his breakfast like he hadn’t just said the biggest load of shit in the world
“You have a thing for Gypsy?” Hansel’s eyebrows slammed down. For a second he studied me. “Well, that changes things doesn’t it?”
I frowned. Did it? In my head, it didn’t change a damn thing. I was in love and would always be in love with my dead wife Corinne. No one could replace her. No one had even piqued my interest in the years she had been gone to come close.
Not until Gypsy anyway.
“I don’t have a thing for her,” I snapped back, my anger rising.
“Fine.” Hansel shrugged his muscled shoulders. “You don't have a thing for her. You won’t mind if one of us asks her out then, right?”
Did Hansel want to ask her out? My eyes scanned the room. Or was he talking about one of the others asking her out? I swallowed the flood of rage the thought sent up my throat.
“I don’t care if everyone in the club bangs her brains out,” I muttered.
“Good, because everyone thinks Gypsy is seriously cool.” Hansel’s face was knowing. “And hot as sin to boot.”
“Hot and cool.” Monster nodded. “She's seriously cool.”
“You…” I spluttered, scraping my chair back. I stood and headed towards the door. I couldn't be around them any longer.
“Where are you going, Prez?” Havoc called.
I didn’t answer him, instead, I flipped the room the bird and stomped off. Their laughter followed me.
“Go get her, Prez,” Hansel called out.
I ignored him.
Asshole.
* * *
“Fang?”Gypsy blinked up at me sleepily. The pink ratty robe she had tossed on hanging loose about her. “What time is it?” she squinted past me, to the sun only just making herself known between the buildings. “Has something happened?”
Had something happened? I wanted to scream at her that yes it had she had happened and she was driving me crazy.
“I…” I didn’t know what to say, I was standing at her door at six in the morning for what reason? Honestly, I didn’t know but she would want an answer. I took her in, the slim legs, the full breasts pushing against the thin material of the tee she was weaning and my mouth watered. Why did I have to speak at all?
My hand slid around her waist, pulling her into me and my mouth was on hers in an instant. There didn’t have to be words between us when there was this level of heat. Why couldn't we just come together like our bodies wanted us to? Without there being a conversation or worse yet feelings?
I walked her backwards, kicking the door shut behind us. And my lips never left hers. Gypsy wrapped her arms around my neck, her body curved into mine as my hands lifted her tee from her thighs.
