Page 78 of Cut Me Down

“I know, I thought I saw you push her away.”

“Then what’s wrong?” He looks at me confused, and I shake my head softly.

“Nothing, I said I'm fine.”

“Ashia.” He hardens his gaze at me and those piercing eyes practically cause me to melt.

“She’s just really pretty. Beautiful, actually.” I look back down to my hands.

“Not near as beautiful as you.” I scoff as I look back at him, and he rears his head back like I tried to slap him.

“Please, she’s probably on a poster in every teenagers’ room.”

“Not my room, I'm not into that.” He smirks, and I can't help but giggle. Understanding his self-deprecating joke that he’s still a teenager. He’s told me he’s twenty-seven, he’s just a damn goofball.

“Oh yeah? What are you normally into then? Obviously, you liked her enough to have sex with her.” He takes one more inhale of the smoke before he puts the cigarette out in the ash tray a few feet away, and walks close to me. Settling himself in between my legs as he places both hands on my thighs.

“I like five foot four, long black hair, enchanting brown eyes, soft skin…” He leans in close to my ear. “tight pussy…” He whispers and stands back up. “Snarky attitude.” I giggle. “I like you. She was just a one-time thing. It meant nothing. Every time means everything with you.” He grins as he runs his thumb over my jaw. My muscles relax and my lungs breathe easier. The sickness in my stomach starts to fade.

“One time?” I ask quietly.

“One time. Long before I ever set eyes on you. The moment I saw you, I knew there would never be another.” I find myself holding back a smile.

“But why would you want me when you could have someone like her?”

“Because women like her are superficial. They have no idea what life is really like. They have everything handed to them, and even with everything they have, they’re grateful for nothing. She doesn’t truly enjoy anything. Not like you. She doesn’t take in every sense as she walks down the street, or find beautiful places behind the beaten path. Women like her don’t shoot straw wrappers or laugh at bad jokes. She’d never let go and fling her head around in a crowd full of people, and her brain couldn’t possibly comprehend the hidden lessons in media like horror or science fiction. They find our sense of humor crude and wrong, when you try to find enjoyment out of anything. You're so sweet and caring, when women like her don’t love anything past themselves. So why you? Because I. Want. You.” He plants a gentle kiss to the tip of my nose.

“I'm sorry if I made you doubt that.” My eyes widen. I didn’t expect that. I'm being insecure, and he’s apologizing? I thought I saw him push her away, what else could I want him to do? Scream at her and humiliate her in front of the entire bar? Hell no, he’s too sweet for any of that, and I’ve been in that position. I’d never want that for someone else.

“You didn’t. I'm being insecure. I just have a hard time believing someone as great as you could want someone like me. Especially with better options like her. I have nothing to offer you.” I say truthfully.

“There is nothing better for me than you. You really think you have nothing to offer? I've already told you. Your irresistible body, your complex mind, and your beautiful soul. Anything she could possibly offer me? I don’t fucking want it.” He takes his hands, and gently cups my face. “She, and anyone else before you, are nothing compared to you in my eyes. You just remember, little wolf, that while you may be mine, I am also yours. Everyone else is beneath you.” I look up and focus my eyes on his, losing myself in the various blues colliding together. Feeling the butterflies in my stomach fly around vigorously, and my body becomes weightless. “Don’t look at me like that with those big brown eyes.” He says, barely loud enough to hear.

“Why not?”

“Because if you don’t stop, I won’t make it to my mission.” He smirks at me before planting a soft kiss, gently gliding our lips together for a moment too short before pulling away.

“I'm sorry. You can go back to hanging out with your friend. I shouldn’t have distracted you.” I say softly.

“You’re not a distraction. You think I came to the same bar as you as a coincidence?” He smirks as I shake my head. “When I saw Serena texted you to meet here, I couldn’t resist. I was hoping you'd ask me to stay.” I feel my cheeks flush and heat rise to my face. My full smile now impossible to hide.

“Well that depends, how important is this mission?” He shrugs, acting like warehouse raids and all of the other things he does is no big deal.

“There’s a big deal going down tonight. We were going to crash it.” He says nonchalantly. Is it really not that important or is he playing it down so I won’t feel bad about asking him to stay?

“That sounds pretty important, why would I ask you to sit that out?”

“Because whateveryouneed is more important to me. So if my girl needs me, I'm staying.” I swallow my nerves, reach up, and gently kiss his cheek.

“I’d never ask you to stop what you do. We’ll have plenty of time after.” He smiles at me. The warmth from his grin radiating off him. “I need to get back to Ser. Wake me up when you get in tonight?”

“Always.” He kisses me again. This time with a heat and sense of longing. I pull back, knowing that if he keeps kissing me like that, Iwillask him not to leave. As I hop down off the railing and go to walk around him to head back in, I see Serena standing in the doorway with her arms crossed and her left hip poked out. The scowl that’s on her face could make birds fall from the sky.

“Hey, Ser.” I say nervously.

“Are you going to introduce me to your stalker or am I still supposed to act oblivious?” She says with anger lodged in her tone. I squint my eyes at her, and tilt my head in aggravation.

“Ser, you know he’s more than that now.”

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