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Oh, how I want to believe that is true.
Chapter Twelve
Ivy
The Detective escorts us out when he’s done questioning Rochelle. We pour out of the elevator into the lobby, and he tells her that he will be in contact as soon as he has any news. The valet brings around my little white Mercedes. In all the kerfuffle I haven’t had a chance to get used to the fact that it’s my car. The idea is still so foreign to me.
Rochelle clings to Riot’s arm as we move as a unit toward the front doors. He carries her overnight bag. She’s still so shaken. It’s like she can barely hold herself up. But she’s stronger than she thinks she is.
If I am, then so is she.
It’s just going to take facing her fears.
If only it were so easy. My fears feel insurmountable. Like a mountain range standing between me and the man I love. I used to think the only thing I had to get over was my shyness. In that regard at least, I can see how far I’ve come. That was the easy part though. Getting Alec to admit that he hurt Rochelle is the hard part. Keeping things from Rogue is torture.
And yet… I’m still keeping parts of me from him that I don’t need to. Why is that? When we’re together we combust. He kisses me and I want more. He touches me and my body burns for him. He puts his tongue between my thighs and I’m almost senseless with need. I writhe and scream for more, but I don’t take what I really want. What I need. I don’t jump his bones even though he’s told me it won’t happen unless I initiate it.
So why am I holding back when we’ve had ample opportunity? When I want him so desperately?
That one question makes me heart sick. Rogue isn’t pushing me, he isn’t impatient. If anything he’s too good to me. Way too good for me.
He glances at me as we make our way onto the street, his fingers tighten around mine. Almost as if to say he knows what I’m thinking, and he won’t let go. We’ll find our way. He steps away to tip the valet.
“Ivy?”
I glance around before I remember I’m surrounded by the kind of people who draw media attention wherever they go. For a split second I expect the paparazzi. My heart freezes in my chest as I hide my eyes with my hand.
In fact, considering the events of the evening, I’m shocked when it’s not some guy thrusting his camera in my face.
“Ivy.” Dizzy sashays up to me and grabs my hands. Her pink hair starts out pastel then turns a candy color before ending in blood red tips. It’s pulled up into a high ponytail that sweeps over one shoulder. “I thought that was you. What are you doing outside my building?”
“Your building?” I glance at the tower apartments we just exited. Considering there’s at least one movie star in residence, I assume it must cost a mint to live there.
She’s wearing this skater dress in lemon sorbet with a white button down insert and collar. I remember admiring it a few weeks back in a store window when I was running errands for Adira. It’s so cute, but I figured I could knock up a cheaper version myself.
“Oh yeah.” She nods while her jaw works overtime on a piece of bubble gum that she blows into a big pink bubble. “I live on the third floor. Well, it’s my dad’s place. He travels a lot. My mom lives in Phoenix. Have you ever been? It’s hotter than here. Drier too, if you can imagine.”
“Dizzy, nice to see you again,” Rogue says as two car doors thud closed. He threads an arm around my waist and tugs me closer. “You ready to go, baby?”
“Yeah. Uh, I…it was nice seeing you again, Dizzy.”
“We should hang out.” She doesn’t let go of my hands. “Either with our boyfriends or just you and me. What do you think?”
“Sure.” I try to tug my hand free without looking like I desperately need the space. She’s really nice, I’m just not great with people. “Maybe we could, um…”
“Get dinner and hang out? Girls’ night?” She claps her hands. “Sounds like a fantastic idea. We can get some White Claws. I have an awesome karaoke setup.”
“I’m not sure.”
“Come on, it’ll be fun,” she sing-songs.
“Sorry to cut this short,” Rogue interjects, glancing back at the car where Riot and Ro are waiting for us. “But we really have to go.”
“Oh, okay, all right.” Dizzy bites her lip and rubs the toe of her white Keds against the opposite ankle while she pulls a face like she’s just realizing that she basically cornered us. “I did it again, didn’t I? I get a little overenthusiastic about new friends.”
“It’s okay,” I say. I don’t want her to feel bad. “We just need to go, because we’re running late to dinner.”
“My brother is waiting for us,” Rogue explains as he opens the door for me to climb in.
