Page 24 of True Blue

“As I said, it’s never personal, it’s... survival,” I bite my lip, waiting for him to protest. “And that happens maybe three times a week. I will never just go off the grid; I’ll always let you know beforehand.”

Teddy just shrugs and pulls me in tighter.

“That’s all I ask. I like having time to myself too,” Teddy grins. “I find drawing alone peaceful, and I can focus better, so alone time is good. And there are times when I want to hang out with my friends. I think alone time is healthy.”

“Really?” I ask, pleasantly surprised.

“Really.”

“And I sometimes clam up in public,” I add quickly, half wanting me to stop, half wanting to challenge him. “I get nervous at parties or other social functions, so I usually just keep to myself, but that makes people think I’m a bitch or that I think I’m better than them. I don’t; I just struggle to control my facial expression when I’m not at work. I devote so much focus to keeping it on the clock because it’s life or death there that when I’m off, it falls by the wayside.”

“Okay,” he shrugs easily. “If we’re out, and you tell me that you want to leave, then we’ll leave.”

I smile, but then his eyes darken once more. “If someone ever calls you a bitch, I will handle it.”

Honestly, I’m a little aback by his threat delivered in that same, rumbling but sweet voice of Teddy’s. But not displeased. Not at all.

“You would, wouldn’t you?”

“You’re my girl,” he says firmly. “No one will ever disrespect you.”

I swallow, my chest tight and my stomach flipping over itself at the hard edge to his voice.

“Okay.”

A grin starts to spread across his lips. “Okay?”

“Okay, Teddy,” I laugh. “I would love to be your girlfriend.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes.”

“Promise?”

“Teddy!” I laugh, poking his side.

He just leans down to kiss me, sweetly, softly, and it feels like punctuation. Then it builds and builds, more and more heated, and my hand trails down his chest, but he catches it and kisses it instead.

When I look at him puzzled, he sighs.

“I want to have sex with you,” his eyes drag down my body, lingering on my bare breasts and the drenched light blue panties. “So. Damn. Bad…”

I giggle at the feral look on his face. Like a hungry bear.

“But I want to make it special,” Teddy says, tearing his eyes away from my body to meet mine. “Not because it wouldn’t be now, but because I want to take you out on a proper date. I want to woo you, Indie.”

My heart swoops at that, the care in his words. Even though I’m eager to jump his bones, I think I like the idea of taking our time, savoring each other before the final act.

“Did you just say woo?”

“Yes, I did,” Teddy says, unashamed. “Because you, my honey, deserve to be wooed.”

Christ, he’s adorable. I’m in deep shit.

“Okay,” I laugh. “Then woo me, Teddy. When⁠—”

There’s a buzzing sound coming from the direction of Teddy’s jeans—his phone in his back pocket.