Page 71 of Dismantle & Prevail
Before she can react, I move to cage her arms in, with my other hand going to her throat and squeezing slightly.
Tilting her gaze to lock on mine, I lean forward so our noses brush. Taylor’s cheeks turn pink, her eyes wide, shock evident on her face. “You don’t want chivalry, Taylor. You want a man that can command the room and go toe to toe with you while giving you everything you are too stubborn to say you need. So no, I will not ask you to be my girlfriend because as far as I’m concerned, you have been mine since you stepped foot inside that compound. I just had to wait for you to see it.”
Taylor bites the inside of her cheek, fighting the smile I know wants to shine across her immaculate face.
Chuckling, I brush my thumb against her throat, squeezing slightly once more. Her eyes flutter, her chest arching into my arm.
Hmm. Something to explore later.
“One more thing. Call me old again and you will feel my hand on your ass for days. I’m thirty six, which is only eight years older than you, smartass. I’m not a fucking dinosaur.”
Taylor erupts in a fit of laughter, and my hand falls from her throat and moves to hug her against me.
A ping from the computer steals both of our attention and we return our focus to the laptop.
Resilience Chat:
Andi: Thanks Aries. Hi, Taylor. I’m Andi, leader of the Guardian chapter of Resilience.
Aries (Taylor): Hi, Andi. Nice to meet you. Thank you for rescuing those women. I saw a few familiar faces from my past. It killed me seeing that they were still stuck in that hellhole.
Noah: Hi Taylor!
Aries (Taylor): Hi Noah.
Andi: Noah Alice Hayes! Butt out before I call Logan and tell her to come get your ass.
Noah: Logan doesn’t scare me.
Logan: Wanna bet?
Noah: Oh fuck. Bye guys!
Andi: Thanks Lo. See you and Gray soon for my next appointment.
Logan: Always. See you soon. Nice to hear from you again, Taylor.
Aries (Taylor): Same to you.
Andi: Sorry about that Taylor. Noah is…Noah. Anyway. You’re welcome, but I’m just doing my job. I have a lot of paperwork to do so I’m going to cut to the chase. I have a victim here that is looking for a woman in a black, lace dress with butterfly tattoos. Is that you?
Aries (Taylor): Is her name Melody?
Andi: Yes.
Aries (Taylor): Yes. That was me. We were both under the same billionaire a few years ago. She disappeared and I haven’t been able to track her down so I assumed the worst.
Andi: Her story matches with yours. She is currently being treated in the hospital with her father, but she has requested I find and get you two in touch. Is that something you’d be comfortable with?
I watch as Taylor’s chest visibly relaxes, her head hanging low for a moment before she responds.
Aries (Taylor): Absolutely. I will send my number over immediately. Please pass—-
Her fingers come to an abrupt halt, and she looks back at me. Her mouth opens to speak, and I beat her to it.
“Don’t even ask. Of course she can come to Braveheart. We will help her with anything she needs. Her father is welcome to follow. You never have to ask. The answer will always be yes.”
Tilting her head back, she purses her lips and I press mine to hers in a chaste kiss.
