Page 46 of Dismantle & Prevail
Yes. I know I have it bad. You try staring at a beautiful woman covered in butterflies who can slit a man’s throat with the flick of a wrist in the eyes and tell me that you wouldn’t want to hold her forever.
“I need some time to process. This is—a lot.” Her gaze is downcast at the ground, her boot kicking a stone on the concrete floor.
“I know.”
Taking a step back, her gaze returns to mine. “I have no idea what to say, which is a first for me. And I don’t know how I feel about that.” A nervous chuckle escapes her and she continues. “If you need me tonight, I may make you sleep on the bean bag because my mind is going a million miles an hour.”
I can’t contain my laughter and nod. “Of course, Butterfly. Like I said, this is on your terms. You have the handlebars. I’m just simply along for whatever ride you choose to take us on.”
A small smile spreads across her face and she nods, her gaze briefly returning to the ground, then back to me.
Taylor takes a few steps back and raises her sweater covered hand to wave. “I’ll see you later?”
“Always.”
Taylor pauses for a moment, her eyes tracking up and down my body before she turns and I watch her walk out the door of the garage.
My head tilts back and I scrub my hands down my face as I hope like hell I didn’t just ruin a relationship with someone who has been my calm in this world of chaos.
Chapter Nineteen
Taylor
AsIhangthelast of the garland along the bar, Aries’ lips against mine plays on repeat in my head.
Aries freaking Clark kissed me, and it felt all consuming. Like my mind was clear, and I felt as if everything faded away and all that was left was a sense of peace washing over me. Which is something I haven’t felt in years.
How can a kiss make someone feel that way? Your guess is as good as mine.
After walking away, I went straight to my room, flopped on my bed, and stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours.
Ever since he came home, things have been different. It was like the moment I looked into those dark chocolate eyes in that cage, something shifted. He allowed me to see a part of him that no one else does and he has slowly been showing me what true and ultimate trust and vulnerability feels like.
I’m not naive enough to say I didn’t notice his looks and his personality as an enticing feature. I just never allowed myself to see him as more than a friend and leader.
And now I can’t stop thinking of it being something so much more.
Aries and I. Aries and me. Me being with one of the most ruthless, caring, and hard-headed men I’ve ever met.
To say I’m terrified is an understatement. Part of me can see how Ari and I would work and the other part of me knows that if it ended, it would be catastrophic.
Last night as I watched the sun fade from the sky, I started to wonder if the safety and playful bickering was something more throughout the years and I just didn’t allow myself to see it until now.
I can’t even remember the last time I was in a relationship. Casual hooking up from the local bar, yes. A girl has needs, and I’d be senile to hook up with anyone inside Braveheart.
Now here I am fantasizing about the damn president's lips on mine and how his arms wrapped around me every night feel like the best damn hug of my life.
“Tay! Garland looks great! You can go back to whatever hidden corner with your laptop now. Thanks Darlin!”
Zena’s words bring me out of my head and I turn to look at her. She is busy rearranging the tables in preparation for the big Christmas dinner.
In the years that I have been here, Aries has always gone all out. The present pile grows every year and so does the guest list. It's an emotional few days seeing former victims and kiddos that just can’t catch a break within our local community. But seeing the smiles on their faces is worth it.
I want to say my favorite part is watching the victims that were once just as broken as I was, if not more, walk in every year and seeing how far they have come.
But if I’m being honest, it's watching the smile on Ari’s face when he sees someone that we met at their lowest, who was so deep in their pain they couldn’t tell you their name, walk in with their head held high and a smile on their face.
Every member of the rescue team shares the same sentiment, but there’s something about watching a man that is usually composed wear his heart on his sleeve that shines brighter than the rest.
