“I... Fang… I drive you crazy and…” I couldn't get my words out. I should have been outraged that he thought I was something he could own, but deep down I just felt relieved. A spark of excitement sprang to life in my gut at the possessive tone of his voice.
“Why me?”
He lifted himself slightly and then shrugged. “Because you drive me crazy, Sunflower. I need a woman who can keep me on my toes. One who doesn’t simper and do everything I want her to. I need and want a woman like you.” His eyes glittered as he smiled. “Plus, you have a great fucking ass.”
* * *
“Packa bag for a night or two, and I’ll be back in a few hours to collect you, ok?” Fang’s eyes searched my face before trailing down my body in that slow easy-going way that made me feel like I was standing naked in front of him.
It should have made me feel self-conscious, but it didn’t. Fang stared at me like I was his. And it made me feel beautiful.
It was crazy how things had changed, but I couldn't bring myself to regret it. I liked him and he obviously felt something for me as well. And he would protect me.
By God, I needed protecting. Even if the flowers had been from him, I could feel my past would catch up with me eventually.
“Don't be too long.” My fingers clung to his shoulders. Suddenly I was nervous. I didn’t want to go in alone. Fear spiralled down my spine. I hadn’t felt afraid once the day before when I had been tending The Judge’s wounds, but now? Faced with the prospect of going into my own home alone, I was terrified.
Catching the look on my face, Fang frowned. His heavy leather-clad arm pulled me into his body. “What's wrong, Sunflower?”
I couldn't explain it to him because I knew it made absolutely no sense. I knew there was no one waiting inside for me but my dog. There was no blood splattered up my walls. Bobby had been there all night and...
I forced myself to smile, trying to put Fang at ease, but his frown only deepened.
“Sunflower, tell me.” Roughly, he tilted my chin up.
“It’s nothing. I'm just being silly.”
“You want me to come in with you?”
Yes! I wanted to scream it at him as I looked up at the dark windows. The curtains were still drawn tight. “No, of course not. I’m just being silly. I’ll go and pack a bag.” Reluctantly, I pulled myself from his arms, steeling myself for what was to come. “How long will you be gone?”
I hated myself for needing him so much so soon when I prided myself on not needing anyone.
“A few hours, four tops.”
I paled. Four hours? Four hours alone in my little apartment over a bar with nothing but Woofy and the terror of my past to keep me company? It may as well have been a lifetime.
“Ok.”
“Sunflower?” Fang sounded worried. “Do you want me to stay?”
I shook my head. “Of course not. I’m a big girl. I can pack for a few days all by myself.” Dutifully, I kissed his cheek.
Turning towards the bar that had meant to be a fresh start, I forced myself to move towards it. I didn’t know why, but it felt like I was walking towards some unknown danger.
Again.
24
Fang
“What have you found out?”I couldn't wait any longer. I knew I was being impatient, but I needed to know what Cyber had found out. Even if he had found out nothing.
The younger man paused before he looked up from the laptop he had propped up on the bar. There was a frown on his face that I didn’t like very much.
“Cyber?”
“You’re not going to like it Prez.” He sighed, resigned to the fact that he had to tell me whether he wanted to or not. “I can’t find any trace of Gypsy earlier than five years ago. Before that she didn't exist, or at least, it looks that way.”
