AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It took me by surprise. She was approached on the way to the bathrooms. I went to see if she was okay. We were talking. When it happened, I lost my mind. Then I remembered what she’s been through and pulled away.”
He stares at me for a beat, his gaze turning into a combo of disbelief and humor. “You are a dipshit. Has it been so long you forgot what to do when a hot chick kisses you?”
“Why am I even talking to you?”
“Is that what this is, because you’re intentionally leaving out the details. I get protecting Rowan, but how the fuck am I supposed to work my magic and get your head out of your ass if my intel is slim?”
“You’re enjoying this?”
“Hell yes. But I’ll enjoy it more when I know what you did.”
I blow out a breath and tell him the story. He lets out a low, disapproving whistle when I’m done.
“She thanked you for getting stabbed and you told her it was your job?”
“What was I supposed to say?”
“Jesus.” He drops his chin, shaking his head. “This is worse than I thought. You deserve to lose her.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“You pushed her away, literally, after she put herself on the line. Not sure there’s much I can do here.”
“I didn’t ask for your help.”
“No, but you need to hear this straight. That woman is crazy about you. She may be shy and reserved, but she’s a fucking warrior in her own right.”
“She was harassed on the way to the bathroom, Talon. And then I wasn’t much better.”
“They approached her, which is expected, looking the way she did. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened before. She thinks she’s the girl next door with a warped sense of confidence, considering the psychopath she dated.”
“Craig Johns doesn’t factor into this.”
“Johns is the only factor here because he’s the one who wore her down. Why the hell aren’t you building her back up?”
“I wanted to give her space and time.”
“She’s obviously ready, and you rejected her.”
“It wasn’t my intent. It just happened so fast.”
“Fast? You call months of skirting around each other fast? You’re even more of an idiot than Powers and Kingston. You trying to beat Ace’s record of ten years?”
“You are an asshole.”
“I’m pointing out the obvious. You don’t have to throw her down and fuck her brains out on the first date.”
My jaw ticks as my teeth grind together. “She’s not that type of woman.”
“Hell no, she’s not.”
“Man, you’re pushing me close to the edge. You know what kind of man I am.”
His lips form a hard line, his hand clenching. “You’re a goddamned hero. A warrior who is one of the best men I know. I wouldn’t push this shit if I thought your intentions were anything but honorable. Rowan Ellis needs a man who will fight for her, not against her. This chivalry shit is going to backfire if you don’t man up.”
Man up… I hate the fact he’s right. Rowan deserves to know how absolutely fucking special she is.
“I see my wise words are penetrating that thick skull.”
