Page 57 of Living Without

Once he’d left, I turned to face Saxon. His eyes were already burning with annoyance down into mine.

Smiling, I said, “Everything’s fine.”

He studied my face and grunted.

“Saxon, Jerimiah and I are friends. You need to understand that.” When he still just stared down at me and I saw him clench his jaw, my own frustration took hold. I narrowed my eyes and waited for him to say something, anything. What also was edging my patience over the ledge was when he promised he was going to talk to me nearly two weeks ago and he hadn’t yet. I wanted to know where I stood with him. Was he going to treat me like a friend or more? Finally, I threw up my hands and said, “I don’t know why I even bothered to tell you that anyway. It’s not like it has anything to do with you.”

“Angel,” he warned.

Leaning up into his face, I snapped, “What?”

His lips twitched. “We’ll talk soon.”

Rolling my eyes, I blew out a breath and returned my gaze to him. He was smiling. “You said that a while ago, Saxon.”

“We have time to wait. You just need to know I ain’t backing away from you. I won’t treat you like shit ever again. Things have changed. You’ve seen it. Just wait a little more, angel. After your girl is gone. For now, enjoy your afternoon and the goin’-away party tonight for them.”

“Tomorrow then?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Maybe.”

“Saxon,” I bit out.

“Angel,” he growled. Crossing his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowed. “Should we talk about you and him still being friends?”

Snorting, I said, “No, because it’s happening.”

“We’ll see.”

“No, we won’t.”

His eyes suddenly softened. He dropped his arms, only to bring his hand up. With the backs of his fingers, he ran them gently down my cheek. My heart stumbled.

“It’s good to see my angel still has fight in her.”

My eyes widened. He was sparring with me to bring her out, to bring me back. I dropped my forehead into his chest. His hands slid to the sides of my neck. “Saxon,” I whispered.

“Been waiting for her to show, and now she has, you ain’t taking her away. No matter what or where you are, you should fuckin’ know you can always be her. Even when you’re scared. When you feel the fear tightening your throat, youcanbe her. Still, I get it. I know she’ll retreat at times, and when those times come, I’d be happy to bring her back so you can shine and be who you are without feelin’ those darker emotions again.”

“Saxon,” I choked.

He squeezed my neck. “You’ll be fine without Kelsey, angel. I’ll make sure of it.”

Sniffing, I pulled back, and through watery eyes, I met his gaze. “You will?”

“Fuck yeah. Be right with you. Along your side.”

I would have burst into happy tears with the weight of devotion I felt for Saxon, if it wasn’t for his teasing smile before he said, “Now, go be with your girl. I’m gonna go hunt that dickhead who thinks he can be friends with you.”

I narrowed my eyes on him, and snapped, “Saxon.”

He chuckled. “Good, she’s still there after me layin’ some heavy on her. Now, go be with your girl, angel.”

Even though I rolled my eyes, and shoved at him, I did it gently and with a smile on my face before I went back to Kelsey.

Chapter Twenty-One

SAXON

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