I slip my hand into hers, her warm palm squeezing me until my rage at the male population in this room subsides. Hell, I’m even annoyed at some of the women.
I let my hand sit on the silky fabric covering her lower back, our cheeks settling against each other so I can whisper into the shell of her ear.
“Have you enjoyed yourself tonight?”
“Mmhmm,” is all she can muster up as I begin to trail my fingers up and down her spine.
“Every man in here can’t take their eyes off you.”
Her head rears back as she studies me.
I pull her back and begin to trail my fingertips again.
“That wasn’t my intention.”
“No, and you can’t control what others do, Mia. But I wanted you to know, it’s not just this dress, which should be illegal by the way, it’s you. Your magnetism, your charm, the way everyone in this room eats up every word you give them like they’re starving.” She gasps a little, but I hold her tightly so she can’t look at me.
“What you said earlier, the way you defended me…”
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t take the insinuation that you have an easy career.”
I smile again. “I know, love. I wanted to say thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever been defended so vehemently before.”
She huffs out a laugh, relaxing into my hold.
“You’re going to be an incredible psychologist. You know that, right? I’m so excited to see what you do next because I know it’s going to be amazing.”
I let her step back this time and notice the tears glistening in her eyes. Fuck, I didn’t want to upset her. The opposite, actually.
“Hey—"
She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me into a tight squeeze.
“I’m still worried that pretending is going to blow up in my face.”
“I promise you I won’t let it.”
“Alfie, I know that this is not the same situation, but I’ve been promised things before by a man…” she trails off but I don’t need to hear the rest. She knows that I know what she means. That bastard who groomed her and fucked her over still lives in her head. The hurt he caused still sits on her heart like an ugly scar, resurfacing every time she goes back home, or has to accept help from a man in a position of power. A man like me.
“I’m going to prove to you that I’m not that man.”
“I think we should just stay friends. Things have been getting a little blurred.”
My heart shunts against my ribs like a tiny car crash crumpling in my chest. Here I am, thinking that dress would end up on my bedroom floor tonight. Well…carefully hung up in my closet at least. But still, Mia isn’t ready, and that’s fine. I’ll take her home, and I’ll try to prove I’m worthy of her tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that.
“For now.” I nod.
She huffs out an exasperated sigh, but her lips are twitching.
No way am I just staying friends with this woman.
“I don’t want you to wait around for me. If you’re ready to actually date and be in a relationship, you should do that,” she says with a level of sincerity that terrifies me. Does she not want this? Have I completely misread this situation?
“Mia…”
“Please, Alfie. I want you to be happy, and if that means finding someone else, then I think that’s a good idea.”
Doesn’t she understand that I don’t want arelationship?I want her. In whatever way she’ll let me have her.
