Page 12 of Shark’s Pride

I was a bastard. But I wasn’t an assailant. That would make me no different than Viktor Blake, and I’d be damned if I’d be lumped in that asshole’s category.

“All right. Fine.” I took a step away, my motion as quiet as my voice. A blast of cool air washed over me, chilling my skin instantly.

She spun and glared at me. I returned the look without a flinch. Now was that disappointment crinkling her forehead and plummeting her jaw? I was probably just telling myself that to ease my pride a bit.

“Fine,” I repeated, dropping my chin to my chest. “You said stop, Abbigail, so I’ll stop. I don’t understand what’s going on with you, but I’m not going to force you into something you don’t want to do.” I leveled my gaze, compelling hers to meet mine straight on. She needed to hear my words clearly now. “I couldn’t live with myself if that’s how you saw me, Abbigail. If it’s time you need or space, I can do that. Maybe this—us—is all too much, too soon. Maybe it’s because of the virginity thing, or your fears about loved ones going away, or crap about men in general that your brothers instilled in you…” I shrugged, but the motion was tight, aptly reflecting my mind-set. “I don’t know. I’m in uncharted waters with you, woman. I’ve said that before. But I can give this time if that’s what you need.”

I ambled toward the door, trying to track her movements behind me by just listening. I detected none, though could hear her extended whoosh of breath.

“Oh. Uhh, oohh-kay,” she finally uttered. “I…umm…appreciate that. I really do.” Shuffling sounds now. Maybe she was righting her clothes? Her hair?

Against every command in my head, I pivoted back to look at her. “But I do have to ask one thing of you.”

“What is it?” Her green eyes widened with concern.

“If you decide this isn’t what you want…” I motioned between the two of us, waiting a few beats before continuing, but this time, it wasn’t for her. Damn. This was more difficult than I thought it would be. I’d let myself get invested in the notion of “us” already. When had that happened? I forced myself to go on. “If you decide that, then you need to tell me. I can only pine after someone who doesn’t really want me for so long. It’s only right.”

She swallowed hard before answering. “Fair enough.”

“Thank you.” My voice sounded strangled. This was completely surreal.

And so damn pitiful.

“Hopefully I’ll hear from you soon, then.” The false crispness in my tone at least helped me stride over and open the door of my office for her. “Have a nice day, Ms. Gibson.”

Abbi didn’t move. Just stared at me for a few moments, as if she didn’t understand she was being excused. After slightly shaking her head, she pushed her cart out the door—but at the last minute, she looked back at me.

“So…I’ll see you tomorrow for lunch?”

“Terryn will email my schedule like always.”

I managed to drench the words in matter-of-fact precision before closing the door. After it was closed, my struggle for composure was no less a torment. I knocked my head back against the door, wondering if I’d transformed into a mooning teenager. But I didn’t care. I couldn’t stop myself. I couldn’t begin to imagine how I’d handle seeing her every day without touching her. Pressing my body against hers…and more. So much more.

But I had no fucking choice. I had to give her the time and space she needed to figure her shit out, or we’d never stand a chance. Despite my abysmal lack of relationship experience, I knew that much. I was in a way different head space than she was, and things would never work out for us until we both got on the same page—the same chapter, even.

Shit.

Right now, I’d be happy if we were reading from the same damn book.

Luckily my week was swamped with work. Plans for the Edge consumed every free minute that the Malaysia deal wasn’t. But both were chugging along with no hitches, so they only accounted for the hours at the office. When I finally stumbled home after eight every night, I had nothing but time on my hands.

When Pia suggested she and Vela come over with pizza and a movie, I readily agreed. Unfortunately, they couldn’t stay too long because it was a school night. Oh, and by the way, my sister inserted several times, I was shit for company.

I finally caved and spilled the truth to her. With a rueful smile, I relayed the bare minimum details about what had transpired in my office at the beginning of the week. In the end, I gave her enough to render at least a little feedback. Words I didn’t know I’d desperately needed until she offered them to me.

“Hey. You’ve done the right thing, brother.”

I thanked her with a rib-crushing hug. “You really think so?”

“I know so—unless you succeed in squeezing me into unconsciousness.” She laughed, goading me into doing the same, as soon as I relented my hold. “Just try to relax, okay?” she exhorted. “I know it’s difficult right now, but if she’s truly into you, she’ll come around. Let her figure it out in her own way.”

I tossed a mock grimace. “You know that’s easier said than done, right?”

“Oh, not for you, big guy.” She mocked as I peeled a pepperoni free and stuffed it into my mouth. “Not at all!”

“Get out of here,” I growled, adding a nod across the living room. “Your morning will be hell tomorrow if a certain someone doesn’t get her sleep.”

She popped up on tiptoe to kiss my cheek. “Love you.”