Page 30 of Come Back To Me

“I see him as David,” I told her. “The artist is part of the person, not the total sum of them.”

Petra looked perplexed. “You must not be an artist.” She smiled faintly.

She was playing games with me, trying to make me think I wasn’t right for him. I was heated, fidgety in my anger. The LA couple was sliding out of the booth, bidding us farewell. I moved my sharp response away from her and said a mechanical goodbye. Petra’s words were ringing in my ears. I wasn’t the angry type. It took a bit to rile me up—get under my skin— but her flippant insinuation that I don’t understand him pricked a rather large nerve. David put his arm around my waist, but I was stiff and uncomfortable as I watched the LA couple walk toward the doors. I was so distracted I hadn’t even learned their names.

“Do you want to stay for another drink or go to my place so I can fuck you?” he asked, quietly.

I looked over my shoulder, at Petra. She was staring at us, and I was sure she’d heard him. I decided to make the most of it.

“Let’s go fuck,” I said and then kissed his neck.

I could see the goose bumps erupt across his skin. We said goodbye and slid from our places at the table. When we walked out his arm was still firmly positioned around me.

When we got to his place I settled myself on the sofa while he went to the kitchen. When he came back he was carrying a bottle of champagne and two glasses.

“What are we celebrating?” I asked.

“Our two-year anniversary.”

I felt myself flush with embarrassment. “Oh, you heard that, did you?”

“Well, I was sitting right next to you.”

“Supposed to be talking to your fancy LA producers, not eavesdropping!” I laughed.

He set the champagne and glasses on the floor and sat down next to me.

“She was showing a little too much interest in you. I needed to set her straight.”

“With a lie?” He was smiling which sort of lightened the situation, but I was still annoyed at being called out.

“I figured she might avert her eyes if she knew we were two years deep,” I said, plucking on a string that was hanging from my shirt.

David pulled me onto his lap so that I was straddling him.

“What did you say about deep?”

His voice was gruff, it made me soft and pliable. I pressed my forehead against his and moved my hips so that I was grinding against him. David moaned into my neck and grabbed my waist to help.

“You aren’t attracted to her, are you?” I asked.

“Who, Yara? Why are you asking me this right now?”

I stopped moving and his eyes snapped open.

“Petra,” I said. “The Suicide Girl.”

He groaned. “I’m attracted to you.”

I moved a little and he perked up like he was in the clear.

“And who else?”

He stood up, lifting me with him and started walking toward the bedroom. “I have it bad for Courtney Love…”

I pushed away from his chest and tried to wriggle out of his arms.

“That’s bloody foul,” I said.

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