Page 13 of Calling a Cease-Fire

I reached up, tucking a stray piece of almost black hair behind her ear. “Aren’t you tired of always being so tough?”

For just a moment, I saw a crack in her armor, but her shields went back up just as quickly. I was sure she was about to slap me, but what she actually did shocked me even more. Her delicate fingers latched onto the collar of my Henley, and she yanked me down toward her, sealing our lips together.

Blood pounded through my system as we each fought for control. I latched one hand onto her hip, cupping the back of her head with the other. She nipped at my bottom lip and I almost lost it.

But suddenly she pushed hard at my chest, sending me stumbling back into the other wall.

“Definitely more fun when you don’t talk.” She ran two shaky fingers over her lips, turned, and swayed just a bit before taking a few steadying steps and looking back at me over her shoulder. “You coming?”

Jesus. Maybe I needed to ask Adam and Lyla to drive her home. Because now that I’d gotten a taste, I was slightly concerned I wouldn’t be able to tell her no.

I nodded and followed her back to the table. Just like the golden retriever everyone always accused me of being.

She grabbed her purse and glanced at me. I was just a means to an end. A body she wanted to get lost in. That was all she wanted. Tomorrow, when she wasn’t drunk, she’d go back to hating me. And that almost made me sad. Because Mia wanting something from me made me happier than when I riled her up.

“I’m going to take her home,” I announced with what I hoped was confidence in my tone.

Adam shot me a look that had overprotective brother written all over it. I sent one back that said I wouldn’t cross that line.

“You sure you don’t want us to drive you home?” Lyla asked.

“I’m sure.” Mia sent Lyla a sly smile before looking over at me with fire in her eyes. “Zack will take good care of me,” she whispered seductively.

Oh, for the love of God. “Let’s go.” I placed a hand on the small of her back and led her out of the bar, steering her down the sidewalk toward my Jeep.

She spent the quick ten-minute drive to her apartment with her head reclined back on the headrest and her eyes closed, while every scenario of how this could go played over and over in my head. How did I make sure she got safely into her apartment without actually having to go inside?

I pulled into a space in front of her building, and for a minute, I thought she might have passed out. But she groaned and her arms tightened around her middle.

Please don’t throw up in my Jeep.

I climbed out and quickly made my way around the vehicle. Before I got to her door, it swung open and she clambered out, running over to the curb and bending at the waist. I came up next to her, holding her hair back as she emptied the contents of her stomach.

When she was finally done, something like a choked sob slipped from her. “We’re not having sex tonight, are we?”

I choked out a chuckle. “No.”

With a defeated sigh, she whispered, “That sucks.”

I laughed and she stood up, glaring at me over her shoulder.

“I agree,” I said quickly. “Totally sucks.” I kept my face as straight as possible, making sure not to rile her up.

Her shoulders fell, her entire body sagging like the weight of the world was pushing her down. I stepped forward and pulled her into my chest, wrapping my arms around her back. And the dam broke.

She sobbed. Hot, messy tears that soaked the front of my shirt. I held her until she quieted, then slowly pulled back and cupped her face in my hands, wiping her tears with my thumbs.

“Feel better?”

“Your cock would feel better.”

Jesus. But I couldn’t help but smile. “Are you usually this direct? Or is it the alcohol?”

She shrugged. “Probably a bit of both.”

“Alright, Raven.” I let my hands skate over her bare shoulders where her sweater hung off and down her arms.

She huffed but I quickly cut her off.