That she twists to the side is the answer to a question I didn’t ask.
“Why, D?”
“This is new and, let’s face it, Zach, you’re a player. Playing around with girls is what you do.”
The truth fucking hurts but I still admit, “I deserve that.”
Her brow furrows. “Ididn’t say that to be a bitch.”
“No. I’ve been a player since high school, but you have to see this is different, D.”
“Zach, what Addison…” She falters. “Look, I’m out of your league and that’s?—”
“Bullshit.” The hellfire in her eyes when her gaze strikes mine has me admonishing, “You’re out ofmine.”
Her lips purse but she studies me, leans in, reads my expression like I’m a book, then mumbles, “You really believe that, don’t you?”
“Of course I do. You’re awesome. I’m just a slut with great stick skills.”
“You’re good with orgasms too.”
“Oh, I am, huh?”
Her lips quirk at my smug tone. “I’d totally leave a review for you. Ten out of ten.”
“The only review that matters is yours.”
A breath whooshes from her. “You can’t say stuff like that.”
“Sure I can ‘cause I mean it.”
“Zach,” she groans, and not in the way I’ve learned I prefer—with her coming around my cock. “It’s too soon to be talking like this!”
I know she feels that way and I can only adjust her stance by showing up so I change tracks.
I have time.
She can go as slow as she wants because that’ll just prove how wrong she is.
Gotta get my wins somehow.
“Whether it is or isn’t, D…” I hold up a hand when I sense a diatribe incoming. “I called you ‘gorgeous’ in front of Addison.”
She closes her eyes. “Fuck.”
I grunt. Then shoot her a smile. I keep it hesitant when, inside, I’m crowing like mad. “Alec has the biggest mouth on campus and the biggest network too. If we walk into Dopie’s hand in hand, by six PM tonight, everyone will know you’re mine and we revealed it ourselves.”
“Caveman,” she croaks.
Stalking over to her, I cup her cheek. “Youaremine, Denny. You were mine before too. If you’d told me, I’d have tossed any bitch to the curb who treated you badly and called you names.”
A glint ofsomethingpops into her eyes. It’s more resigned than pained. “I’m used to it, Zach.”
“Doesn’t mean you should have to be.” I grip her ass and haul her into me. “See this?” I squeeze her butt cheek. “This is meat on bones that I get to cart you around with.” She stammers through a half-laugh, and it’s a thousand times better than that old, unhealed hurt I just saw.Confidence isn’t something she lacks, but that doesn’t mean I can’t shore up her walls. “This is softness and warmth.” Another squeeze. “This is you. And you are mine. Ergo, you are beautiful.”
“Ergo, huh? Callan uses that one a lot.”
“Ergo. He’s not the only one who knows fancy words. I’m studying law too.”
