Page 14 of Drop Three

“You’ll what? Spank me?”Oops. I said that out loud.

The sly barbarian chuckles under his breath, “You and I both know how much you would like that. I wouldn’t call that a fair punishment.”

Easy, boy. You know I like them snappy.

But where is all of this frustration coming from?

I shake my head at his arrogance. “You’re right. It seems I’m the only one who can speak what I feel.”

Would you look at that? He’s silent.

Bodhi shows his emotions in every aspect of his life, except for his romantic feelings for me, apparently.

He nods as if he accepts my words, but chooses to ignore them. “Don’t make me ask again, Navy. The food is getting cold. And you’ve seen how savage I get when I’m hungry.”

Jesus Christ. I know exactly what he’s implying.

My heart is hammering out of my chest, and I don’t know how to stop it.

My only option at this point is to tell him.

After that, I’m gone.

I have no idea where I’ll go, but anything is better than in the path of Bodhi’s unhinged wrath.

I spit out the details of last night in one breath. “You know I’ve been living with Jared for two months. Well, a couple of days ago, he asked me out on a date. We went out last night. I hated every second of it. He tried to kiss me. I told him I just wanted to be friends. He told me to leave, and here I am. There, you heard it. Now, I’m leaving. Thank you again for letting me stay here for the night.”

I need to run, and fast.

I quickly spin to grab my suitcases and step toward the front door. A strong hand gently grabs my upper arm and turns me back. Instead of planting myself exactly where I was before, I lose my balance and fall straight into Bodhi’s gigantic body.

The second our bodies touch, the exhale of his breath heats the side of my neck, and I could combust on the spot. I freeze, realizing how close we are.

Deciding that against his chest is the last place I should be right now, I attempt to brace myself enough to pull away, but Bodhi has other plans.

He slowly runs the calluses of his hands from my elbow up and secures his hold below my shoulders, forcing me to give him my full attention.

He craves eye contact.

“What do you mean he tried to kiss you? Make no mistake, Navy, I’ll march my happy ass straight to Jared’s place and find out for myself if you don’t want to tell me.”

“Could you be any more dramatic?”

“I want to make sure you’re okay and he didn’t do anything to make you uncomfortable.”

Ignore it, Navy. Don’t let him get to you. Vagina flutters are temporary, and your independence is not.

I’m trying too hard to convince myself.

One thing about me that makes my life incredibly difficult—I will do anything to make sure I never disappoint anyone I care about.

It’s ingrained in my sad and pathetic DNA now, and I don’t know how to fix it.

I bet it feels liberating to do what you want without a care who knows or sees it.

I will admit, though, that I don’t find it as difficult to rebel against Bodhi’s expectations. Maybe it’s because he’s already hurt me, leaving me careless, or perhaps it’s becausedespitehim hurting me, I still care.

I’ll give him my cooperation just this once.

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