Page 21 of Weaponized

I jog up two flights of stairs to my bedroom to change clothes as fast as possible. I don’t want to risk that she will head outside by herself, looking all freshly rumpled with my whisker burn on her neck. It’s bad enough she’s going out there with only that scrap of a bikini covering her. In fact, I grab an extra T-shirt in the hopes I can talk her into wearing it over her swimsuit.

However, I should have known this wasn’t my finest idea. She comes out of the bathroom looking polished,flawless, before she spots the T-shirt I’m holding out to her. She laughs and I love the sound.

“I’m not wearing that.” She smiles.

“I, um, you might—” Well, shit. How do I put this? “Just thought you might get cold.” Yeah, I’m officially the dumbest man alive.

She giggles. Honest to God giggles. “You don’t like what I have on?” She preens a little in front of me, pushing her boobs forward a bit, and I suck in a breath. Her tits are outstanding.

“I think we both know that I love what you have on.” She grins at this and I continue. “I just thought you might feel a little, um, exposed is all.”

She shakes her head playfully then saunters over to me. Her hands go around my neck and she looks me dead in the eye.

“You don’t want anyone looking at me. Is that what this is about?” Her voice is so soft. Sweet.

She’s hit the nail on the head and I hate that she’s right and knows it. I look like a jealous fool, but I guess the shoe fits so I’ll wear it.

“Yeah, pretty much.”

She steps away from me and I’m sure I’ve fucked this up when she takes the T-shirt and pulls it over her head. It looks like a tent on her.

“Well,” she says looking down at her new attire, “I think we’ve managed to cover me up.”

I feel like an asshole. “You don’t have to wear this. I’m sorry. I was just—”

“It’s okay. I like it. It smells like you.”

Once again, I’m speechless.

“Luca, if there is something you want or don’t want,just tell me. You don’t have to sugarcoat things or be afraid to be honest with me.”

Wow. Okay then. “And you’ll be honest with me?” I may sound vulnerable and pathetic, but I need to know. When she nods, I ask, “Why did you run away from me after we got coffee?”

She pauses, considering her words. I don’t think she expected my question.

I lift her chin with my fingers so she can’t help but make eye contact with me. “Just tell me so I know not to do whatever it is again.”

She hesitates, sighs. “I was being too sensitive, I guess.” At my look of confusion, she continues. “Ilikeyou, Luca. And I want to get to know you, spend time with you. But it occurred to me as we were getting coffee that you didn’t feel the same way.”

“Wait. What? No, I—”

She shrugs as she cuts me off. “You didn’t ask for my number and didn’t seem to care if I came here tonight. I guess I just felt a little silly. You probably have girls falling all over you and I caught myself being clingy with a guy who didn’t really want me back. I was embarrassed.” When I just stare at her with my mouth open, she fills the silence. “I’ve made things awkward now, but you wanted honesty.”

I probably have girls all over me? Shelikesme? I don’t want her back? Am I hallucinating right now?

“This is the part where you say something,” she prods softly.

“How could you possibly think that I don’t want you?” She squirms, her eyes darting away. A blush creeps up her neck. “Angel, I’m all tied in knots over you. I don’t—shit—I don’t know what I’m doing. I have literally zero practice at this.I don’t, uh, typically express myself very well.” I’m moving my hands up and down her arms to provide comfort.

“Oh.”

“I—I’d like to get to know you and spend time with you, too. And I’m sorry for acting like a jealous asshole about it. I don’t want you to be upset with me.”

She kisses me softly and I make a noise in my throat. “Now that we’ve cleared that up,” she smiles, “do you want my phone number?”

I actually want to tie her to me so she’s always at my side. But I don’t tell her this. I just nod. “I’m not much of a talker, more of a texter.”

This prompts another real laugh. “You don’t say?”

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