Page 32 of Fighting for You
“Turn around.”
She laughs again, then says, “Yes, sir.” Her face scrunches in faux seriousness as she turns around. The words just about bring me to my goddamn knees, but I try not to focus on them as I gather her hair in my hands and wrap the hair tie around her mess of curls.
I spin her back around then grab the helmet from the handle of my bike. “I’m going to put this on you, okay?”
She nods her head, another hiccup escaping her lips. I only have one helmet since I wasn’t expecting a riding partner tonight, so I opt for her to have it. She’s the one worth saving if there was ever a choice.
“Here’s how this is going to go. I’m going to get on the bike like normal, but I want you to sit in front, facing me, instead of behind me. Then I want you to wrap your legs around me so they aren’t in the way,” I tell her, not sure if she’s fully comprehending my words. I’ll kick Ripley’s ass for this.
“Wh-why?”
“Because with you drunk, it’ll be safer this way.”
She slowly nods again. If I’m being honest, none of this is safe, but I don’t know what else to do.
Without giving it more thought, I throw my leg over the seat and scoot back so there’s room for her. I wave my hand to signal for her to get on. Hesitantly—and with more grace than I would think her drunk body could muster—she swings her leg over the seat. I watch as her dress lifts some, exposing a glimpse of her light blue underwear, but once again, I push those thoughts away. Getting hard right now would really complicate things.
I take two deep breaths before instructing her again, “Wrap your legs around me, Margot. Then I’ll need your arms around my neck too.”
She does as I say, laying her head in the crook of my shoulder so the helmet is out of my way. The only reason this is working is because of how short she is.
My body is on fire with her proximity. Her small frame wrapped around me, and I’m sparking with awareness at each touch point.
“What now?” she mumbles through the helmet.
I turn the key in the ignition, the bike rumbling to life as I say, “Just hold on tight, baby.”
I never thought this would be the way I’d feel Margot wrapped around me for the first time. She held on so tight, I could barely breathe. Her safety is my top priority though. By the time we arrive at my parents’ house, she’s still not ready to let go.
“Margot, we’re here. You can let go now.”
She shakes her head no, so I pull her back, unlatching the chin strap and sliding the helmet off. Her cheeks are flushed a pretty pink, and her eyes are hazy, their light green hue is lit up by the motion sensored lights on each side of the garage.
I tip her chin up, making sure she’s looking me right in the eyes when I say, “Hey, you’re okay, yeah? I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”
Without ever looking away, she replies, “I know, I just don’t want to let go. You smell so nice.”
I swear my heart cracks in my chest at her words. I’m not sure how I’ll survive the night.
Without another word, I lift her into my arms, one hand cradling her gorgeous ass, the other fumbling with the keys tofind the right one. With her legs still wrapped around my waist, I walk us to the door.
Once we’re inside, I set her down to peel my jacket off of her and hang her purse by the door. “Let me get you some water—”
She grabs my hand, stopping me. Her face is all scrunched up like the idea of water right now disgusts her. “Can we just—can we go lie down?”
I can’t focus on anything else when her skin is touching mine. All I manage is a nod as I lead her to my room. She said ‘we,’ but I’m fully aware she’s drunk and definitely didn’t mean it in the way my mind is taking it. Even if she did, I’d never entertain the idea while she’s intoxicated. I’m an asshole, but I’m not a predator.
Pushing through the door, her hand still encased in mine, I cringe thinking about how the sheets aren’t exactly clean. Hopefully, she’ll be so hungover tomorrow, she won’t care.
“Make yourself comfortable,” I say as I grab one of the pillows. “I’m going to sleep on the couch, but let me know if you need anything.”
And then she’s hugging me, squeezing so tightly I’m wondering how she’s suddenly so strong. “Please don’t leave me,” her muffled words come out as a plea.
Instinctually, my arms wrap around her, holding her as if I’m scared she’ll disappear if I don’t. “You’re drunk, Freckles. I—Goddamn, I can’t sleep in the same bed as you.”
She pulls away but only enough to peer up at me. Tears line her eyes, waiting to fall.
What the fuck is this girl doing to me?
