Page 48 of Hero Hair

I park in the parking garage, in the same spot as before, and trail behind as she makes her way to the elevator. I’m basically staring a hole in the side of her head by the time we make it to her front door. Her effort at ignoring me completely is commendable. I tell her so.

“I’m not ignoring you, Macs,” she says, unlocking her door and pushing it open.

I walk in behind her and close it. I clear my throat. In favor of ignoring me some more, she takes the confections into her kitchen and starts piling them on a serving tray.

“I was thinking about leaving these at the studio, but then again most of my clients don’t really frequent the sugar,” she explains to thin air.

Making my way to the sofa, I rumple the throw blanket casually tossed across the arm. Her head turns quicker than the exorcist, her gaze like daggers, aimed at the blanket.

Smirking, I say, “I leave tomorrow, Teala. Can we spend some time together? Alone?” Patting the seat next to me, I cock my head to the side in question.

The plate lands on the counter with a loud clank as she puts it on the serving bar. I wince. Irritation unlike anything I’ve ever dealt with courses my veins.

“If you’re mad about something, say it. Whatever this is,” I say, waving my hand in her direction, “isn’t getting your point across.”

Her mouth puckers in a scowl. “I’m not in the habit of telling anyone anything,” she replies, folding her arms across her chest.

I stand. “And I’m not in the habit of prodding, so I’ll go ahead and head out?” I point at the door with a dramatic flair.

“You were on your phone all day, Macs,” she says. Breathlessly, she sighs and hangs her head, like I’ve punched her. That’s how much it takes for her to admit this to me. “We talked about trying to start something real and then I see you on your phone all day. It makes me think it’s all bullshit and you’re toying with me. I hate feeling self-conscious. I hate feeling like I have to ask you. I hate that you were on the phone and that I gave a shit. Do you see what’s happening already? This is awful. Who am I?” She pulls her hands through her hair and avoids looking anywhere near me.

She picks up a brownie and walks to the window. I watch as she looks at the chocolate like it may bite her and then shoves a bite into her mouth.

“A couple things. If this is jealousy, then this isn’t going to work. Jealousy breeds mistrust and if we don’t have trust between us, we have nothing. I’m gone constantly, Teala. You have to trust me. I was texting with my friends, or rather they were texting and I was watching the group message unravel into complete depravity. I’m not toying with you.” I stand next to her, nudging her shoulder with my side.

She swallows her mouthful. “Exhibit A. This is madness and I’ve concocted it out of thin air. Fuck. I’m so sorry. I’m not a jealous person. I swear it,” she says, groaning.

She’s not, but our chemistry is changing both of us. I pull her tightly to my chest and lean down to kiss her. She’s still cocoa sweet. I moan into her mouth when she runs her hands up my arms and clutches onto my biceps, her grip firm and cool. Her tongue lashes out to meet mine as her body goes limp in my arms. I pull away and can still taste her on my lips. I lick them. “I’d say I won’t be jealous, but what’s mine is mine,” I admit.

Teala grins—this unabashed show of undeniable happiness. “You have no idea what that means to me. I’ve always wanted to be cavemanned.”

I shake my head, my bottom lip between my teeth. “I’ll drag you by your hair and club you into submission if that’s your thing.”

She laughs, leaning back to get a better view of my face. “If anyone else heard you joke like that you’d die by hot pokers.”

Raising my brow, I shake my head again. “If anyone saw my group text, I would be sent to prison and then flogged to death.”

That forces her smile to disappear.

“I’m joking, Teala.” Somewhat. I palm the side of her face with both hands. “What?” I see questions in her eyes. “What’s on your mind?”

“I was just thinking about what you said at your parents’ house. What do you do during deployments? Consider me a military virgin. I know nothing.” A fact that’s both alluring and frustrating.

I sigh. “I liked where things were headed when you were jealous,” I exclaim.

She slides her hands down my biceps, over my chest, down to the button on my jeans. With a grin she cocks her head in question.

“Yes. That jealousy,” I encourage. Closing my eyes, I wait.

“You’ll have to tell me things eventually, you know?” She unbuttons and unzips my pants and then stills.

I peek at her through one lowered lid.

“We’re not pretending anymore,” she says.

“When I’m deployed I do what you…assume I do.”

“Call of Duty?” she asks innocently. She wants real answers. My stomach rolls.

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