It feels good.
“I don’t know. Women don’t stay. I live a very busy life and have a shit ton of problems reigning in my temper. I’ve stepped over the line way too many times to count. Look how we met. The first time it happens, I think women find it noble. Maybe a bit attractive, like some protective fantasy, but after the fifth? It gets old, and it’s not something that I can just stop, even when I try.”
She watches me, digests that one. “Technically, we met because I was going to sleep with your friend.”
I bark out a surprised laugh.
“I’m not endorsing those fights, and I’m surely not saying they aren’t an issue, but I don’t think they’re all that you are,”she says. “You’re more than the punches you throw, Carter. Way more.”
Damn, this girl is going to make it impossible not to fall for her, isn’t she?
“Keep talking like that, Red, and I’ll start thinking you like me.”
I glance over at her, to where the prettiest shade of brown studies my face like I’m a medical mystery. After a long moment, Arden shrugs a shoulder, no hint of a smile on her mouth, but a defiant twinkle in her eye.
“Tolerate is a better word for it.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
arden
I’m notsure how I got here, and I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.
Carter and I are sprawled out on the couch in his condo. Beautiful place, by the way. Ridiculously nice. I felt inferior the second that I walked through the door. Then, I went to use the bathroom and there was a tub big enough for four and a shower the size of my whole apartment. I wanted to drown myself for ever letting him step foot inmyhouse.
This man is rich.
Empty take-out containers are scattered around the coffee table. I’m sitting upright, eyes glued to the screen, with Carter fast asleep beside me. He’s not vertical, but not horizontal either. At some point, he drifted to sleep and his head fell to my shoulder. Like when a dog passes out with their head or a paw on your body, you stay still until they wake.
I keep checking the time. We’re on our second movie. It’s late. I don’t work tomorrow, so it’s not a huge deal, but I do worry if this man is going to be able to wake up and be conscious enough to drive me across the city.
An explosion happens on the screen and Carter jolts awake. He scans the room, blue eyes rimmed red. When they finally land on me, he looks a bit confused for a second, before he blinks a few times and relaxes.
“I fell asleep on you.”
“Literally.”
He chuckles under his breath and balls his fist in his sleeve, pressing it to his eye. It’s such an endearing moment. For a second, he looks like a sweet little boy who's just woken from a nap, and damnit,it might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
“What time is it?”
“One in the morning.”
He drops his hand, eyes widening. “Shit. You probably want to get home.”
I just shrug. Honestly, I’ve had a good time. Just hanging out with him, no eyes on us, no pressure to be the best fake girlfriend on earth… It was nice. We ate, we watched some movies, and when I get awkward and quiet, he fills that silence with ease.
A big yawn wracks through him. He blinks some more sleep from his eyes. “Would you stay?”
I stare at him, but don’t answer. That feels like a loaded question.
“I have guest rooms,” he clarifies quickly. “You don’t have to stay in my bed or anything. I’m just really fucking tired, Red.”
“I can get a rideshare,” I offer.
His face falls. He gives me that look that I’ve grown to know well. “Sometimes, I swear you want to get murdered.”
I roll my eyes. We’ve all had bad experiences with rideshares, but they’re just as safe as a taxi. Safer, probably. Easier to track if something goes wrong.
