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“Jace, let go of me,” I demanded, aware it would fall on deaf ears.
I tried keeping up with his stride as he rushed us to his big souped-up truck. The clicking sound of my heeled boots vibrated deep within my core with each step I took. One by one, it added to all the chaos erupting in my head.
“You’re going too fast,” I pleaded. “You’re going to make me break my ankle.”
“Then maybe next time you’ll think twice about wearing fuck-me boots to a bar where men only want to fuck you in them.”
“News flash, asshole! We came here with you.”
He stopped dead in his tracks, turning to face me. “Yes, with me. What part of that did you not understand?”
“Why does it matter if I drink and dance with a guy? I do it all the time.”
“You should have known better than to do it in front of me.”
“Okay, enough with the G.I. Joe bullshit, Jace. I don’t need you to be my soldier.”
“I can protect your country, but not your pussy?”
My mouth dropped open.
“If you’re going to portray yourself like a piece of ass, then men will treat you like one.”
I sassed, “I guess that’s not present company excluded?”
“Don’t compare me to a man who’d ever fuck you, Cove.”
“You’re right,” I snarled. “I’m too good for you.”
“Don’t get it twisted. Your insults don’t faze me. If anything, all it proves is how lost you really are.”
“I’m not lost. I know exactly who I am. I don’t need you to save me, Jace. I’ve been doing it my entire life. I can take care of myself. Now if you’ll take your hand off me, I won’t have to knee you in the balls.”
If he had any reaction to what I just shared, he didn’t show it.
Cold.
Detached.
Soulless.
That was all he showed me.
“Get your ass in my truck, or I’ll throw your ass in. Either way, I’m driving you home.”
I didn’t have a choice in the matter, and I hated that more than anything. The ride to my house was quiet, but on the way there, I needed to use the bathroom.
“Can you pull over at the next gas station?”
“I didn’t hear the word please.”
My jaw clenched. “Please.”
Shortly after, he pulled up to a gas pump and turned off the engine.
“You have ten minutes, or I’m coming in after you.”
“You go from G.I. Joe to military sergeant? How about you give me the itinerary of what personality will come out of you next?”
He opened his door. “You’re down to nine minutes. I’d hurry if I were you.”
I rolled my eyes, jumping out of his truck.
On my way to the bathroom, I ran into someone, and my bag was knocked to the floor, spilling everything inside it.
“Shit!” I crouched down, quickly throwing my things back in before dickwad appeared and further embarrassed me in front of strangers.
“Dammit.” The man I collided with bent down with me.
“I’m sorry. That was my fault. Here, let me help you.”
“You don’t have to—” Glancing up, I was rendered speechless as soon as I locked eyes with the gorgeous guy in front of me.
He smiled, and I swear my heart fluttered. His pearly white teeth and bright-green eyes were mesmerizing. Not to mention, he had dimples, and his black leather jacket only heightened the scent of his intoxicating cologne.
I swallowed hard, immediately captivated by his whole demeanor.
“What was that?” he asked, eyeing me up and down.
“Hi,” I nervously announced. “I’m Cove.”
“Nice to meet you, Cove. I’m Deacon.”
Jesus… even his name was hot.
“What’s a pretty girl like you doing hanging out in a gas station by herself?”
“Umm…” Suddenly feeling panicked that Jace would interrupt this moment and ruin it for me, I stressed, “I’d love to continue this conversation, but my ride is with an asshole, and I have to go.”
“Do you need me to put him in his place for you?”
My stomach somersaulted with how he was instantly in protective mode over me.
“He’s my best friend’s much older brother. I mean, he’s so old he could be my father, so no need to defend me, but I appreciate it.”
“How about you give me your number so I can take you out to dinner instead?”
Haven hated when I was reckless and gave guys I didn’t know my number, but I was a live-in-the-moment kind of girl, and I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity for my very own bad boy.
“I’d love that.”
I gave him what he wanted, knowing with certainty he’d call. I just never expected he’d text me when I was still in Jace’s truck.
I’m going to think about you for the rest of my night.
And the truth was…
I was thinking about him too.
Four
Cove
Now: One month later
I laughed, “Deacon,” as he blew raspberries on my belly while holding me down on his couch. “Stop torturing me!”
“It’s not torture when you like it, beauty.”
