Page 22 of An Uphill Battle

“Ugh. You were such anass.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. I asked what you were lookin’ at, and what’d yousay?”

“I said, ‘Certainly not you, Little Bit. Move along.’ You gotta know I was only a dick because you called me an asshole.” Another thing she doesn’t know... I straight-up lied. Iwaslooking at her, and I have been ever since. Because even then, as plain as could be, I knew she was my future. Her soul fucking called to mine, all kindred andshit.

“Keep telling yourselfthat.”

“Don’t you go actin’ like I hurt your feelings, Bit. You startedit.”

“I. Did.Not.”

“You did. And after I told you to move along, you got all huffy, just like you are now. You cocked your bony little hip to the side and told me you were there first. Like that meant something.” I laugh, remembering the fierce expression on her face and how her green eyes blazed when I asked her if she wanted a prize for being there first. “You were such an angry littlething.”

She pulls back from me and tilts her head to the side, studying me. “Wasnot.”

“Yeah, you were. Isawyou. Saw that hurt and anger you kept so hidden from everyoneelse.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,Drake.”

“Yeah, okay. Pretend all you want, but we bothknow.”

“Ugh!” She stands from the couch and starts pacing, wearing a trail in my rug. “You’re soimpossible.”

“Why’re you getting so mad? You asked me about when we first met, and I answeredyou.”

“No, you started trying to psychoanalyze me.” Her tone is accusing, and it pisses meoff.

“Didn’t, but it’s nice to see some things never change.” I snort out a frustrated laugh, because damn if this isn’t just like us. We can’t make it ten minutes withoutfighting.

She pins me with a glare. “What the fuck is that supposed tomean?”

I figure I’m already in deep, so I may as well keep right on digging. “Means you’re every bit in denial about your feelings now as you’ve alwaysbeen.”

Azalea stares at me, like my words have shocked her into silence.Thank God.But the silence doesn’t last. She blinks at me a few times before lighting into me. “Now you listen here, you pig-headed asshole. I asked a simple question. You’re the one that turned it into all this. Gah. You think the whole damn world revolvesaround—”

Rising from the couch, I grab her by her waist and pull her small body flush against mine. She’s teetering on the edge of a full-blown hissy-fit, and I’msonot in themood.

“What do you think you’re—” I silence her with my lips. Nipping at her bottom lip and licking away the sting, again and again until she opens up for me. Our tongues fight for control, and our kiss is punishing. She winds her arms around my neck, digging her nails into the skin there. Marking me, owning me. But Azalea Barnes has always owned me. She just doesn’t knowit.

She moans and mewls into my mouth, and the sound travels straight below my belt. Judging by her sharp intake of breath, she’s all tooaware.

“Drake,” she pants. “We have to stop.” I know she’s right, because if we end up in bed right now, it’ll only solidify her hair-brained idea that I only want her for sex. But still,fuck.I step away, not bothering to adjust myself. I’m one hundred percent fine with her knowing how she affectsme.

“You’re right, Little Bit. You’re right.” Lowering myself back onto the couch, I tug her wrist to pull her down beside me, and she snuggles into me without argument. “That’s better. Havin’ you close keeps mehappy.”

“Wanna know what makes me happy, D?” she asks, hitting me with the same puppy-dog eyes I used onher.

“What’s that?” I ask, knowing I’ll probably regretit.

“Picking the movie!” she singsongs, her mood doing a total one-eighty.

“Mmm, go on, then,” I say, handing her the remote, because let’s be real, with her in my arms, who cares what’s on theTV?

11

Azalea

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