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“She’s mine, man,” I snarl the words.
He arches an eyebrow in question, but his tone is less accusatory, “Does she know that?”
“I’m going to keep showing up until she does and then I’m going to make sure she knows it every day for the rest of our lives without fail.”
Tex looks me up and down as if he’s seeing me for the first time. When he looks me in the eye, I stare him down. I’m not going to back down and I mean every single word. I get that Phoenix doesn’t do relationships. Her signals were pretty clear and that was before she slipped out of my place this morning like a cat burglar.
I’m going to show her she can trust me.
Underneath all her fire, I can see she’s scared. I hate the thought of someone else breaking her heart, but I can’t dwell on that shit. I’m going to prove to her that not everyone is like whoever hurt her. I’m going to make sure she knows I’m in this for the long haul.
Tex grins and then nods once. “Good.”
Without another word, he ushers me into the lobby area where I’m able to check my coat. I take a deep breath before I step into the main club. I need to keep my wits about me and not lose my shit on my Firestorm. I can’t; it’ll make her retreat which will make my job to win her heart that much harder.
I keep to the wall, the shadows, but my eyes are trained on the bar. Her hair, the red and orange like fire, calls to me. I know how it feels running through my fingers now. I swear I can still taste her on my lips.
I know I’m a fucking goner for this woman in a way I’ve never been for anyone else. I’ve made peace with it. It’s become my new reality, but I know she’s going to need more time.
She didn’t share anything with me last night, not really, but I’m not surprised. One thing I’ve learned about my woman is she doesn’t let people past her walls. I think I learned more about her while watching her dance this afternoon when she didn’t realize I was even there than I could have with a conversation.
Her movements spoke of her pain, of her mistrust, of her fear.
You wouldn’t know any of that to look at her right now. She has a smile on her face as she fills orders and works the bar. It’s all a show and now that I’ve seen behind the curtain, even though it was just a peek, I can see it so fucking clearly.
I don’t think she realizes how much she wishes someone would prove to her that people can stay and won’t hurt her. I’m going to be the man to show her. Knowing it to be true sends a shiver down my spine.
One day, when her brown eyes look at me with trust, I know it will be one of the best days of my life.
When Phoenix smiles at a man at the bar and gives him a flirty wink, my fists clench. I’ve seen her be flirty with men while working before and it bothered me every single time. I get it though, I do. It’s all about the show and that is especially true with her job.
That doesn’t mean I fucking like it.
I push away from the wall, my eyes locked onto my woman as I move closer. I’m not going to avoid her tonight and sit on Trix’s side. No, tonight I’m coming right for her. No fucking around.
Phoenix must feel me watching her because one moment she’s putting a beer down while looking at the guy in front of her and then the next her eyes snap to mine. I give her a smile, one I’m sure isn’t entirely good-boy friendly because she swallows hard.
The way she fidgets both settles something in me and makes me anxious. I’ve never been such a contradiction as I am for this woman. I don’t even entirely understand why.
I just know she’s mine. I just know she’s not ready for everything I have to offer. Not yet, but hopefully soon.
The man she just served places some cash down on the bar as his eyes roam over my woman. I feel a flash of anger and possession, but I force it away. I’m not going to make a scene, not here at least.
“So, what do you say? Once you close down for the night,” there’s lewd suggestion in this guy’s tone, “how about we spend some time together?”
I force my face to remain neutral instead of gagging. Some time together? Fuck.
Don’t punch the man. Tex would have to throw you out and then you won’t be able to keep an eye on her.
Yeah, easier said than done. I want nothing more than to stake my claim. I know, though, if I do then it’ll only have my Firestorm shutting down on me.
I can’t have that. Not now.
“Sorry, hun,” Phoenix’s voice is dripping with fake sweetness, “can’t tonight. It’s been a long day.”
She’s brushing him off with a smile on her face as her eyes dart to me. It makes me breathe a sigh of relief. To some it might seem like just a deflection, but I can see how tired she is in her eyes.
I guess slipping out of my place too damn early and then dancing for hours will lead to some serious exhaustion.
