Page 35 of Calling a Cease-Fire

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the deep V of her cleavage in that damn purple dress she wore. It had been taunting me all night as I imagined snaking my hand underneath to feel just how soaking wet she was for me. The moment those words tumbled from her lips, I knew I was a goner. I would never be able to forget it, the truth I had been hoping for cemented in my brain.

“Is that not a good outlet? Being surrounded by adorable puppies and kittens?”

She guffawed. “Volunteering isn’t just playing with the animals, you know. It’s cleaning their cages and changing the litter boxes, replacing bedding and refilling food and water bowls.”

My gaze drifted over to her legs as she shifted in the seat, crossing one over the other. The skirt of her dress rode up her thighs, exposing beautiful tanned skin. I blinked, focusing back on the road. That would be my luck—crash the Jeep because I was distracted by her gorgeous fucking legs.

“You really don’t think I’m even a little bit selfish?” she whispered, almost to the point I barely heard her.

I pulled into the parking lot of the rage room and whipped into a spot before throwing it into park and turning to face her. “Fuck no. Independent and stubborn as an ox? Absofuckinglutely. But selfish? Definitely not.”

She sighed. “The last guy I dated told me I was coldhearted and selfish, even though I was very clear about what I wanted. Or rather, didn’t want.”

“I think…” I paused, getting my thoughts together. I wasn’t going to lie to her, but I wanted to make sure I worded this correctly. “You’re very guarded. And I’ll be honest, I’m not sure you’re even capable of deep emotional connection. But part of that is because you don’t let yourself. Regardless, none of that is being selfish.” I sent her a teasing smirk. “Unless you drag the poor schmucks along until they are so hopelessly in love with you they can’t see straight.”

She rolled her eyes. “I think it’s mostly their egos that are broken, not their hearts.”

“Probably,” I said with a grin before adding, “It’s not like you’re all that nice anyway.” It had been too long since I’d gotten in a little teasing.

Her eyes narrowed for a quick second, but then she grinned, raising an eyebrow. “And you say I’m the one not capable of deep emotional connection?”

“Touché.” I sent her a wink and hopped out of the Jeep.

I looked up at the Wreck It sign as we headed toward the front door. I wasn’t sure about this idea when she’d first suggested it, but now that we were here, I was glad.

Even if it wasn’t exactly what I wanted.

Chapter Fourteen

MIA

I stared at my computer screen, the sounds of people talking around me and keyboards clacking providing background noise to my thoughts. I’d been at work for four hours already, and this had to be the third, maybe fourth time my mind drifted back to the other night. More specifically, to the rage room with Zack.

He stands a few feet away, bat perched over one shoulder, his gaze trained on me. The heat of it skates over my skin. “Why do I always want what I can’t have?” he says, then brings the bat down hard, smashing a bunch of plates.

Fuck. My stomach clenches. Is he talking about me?

Turning away, I take in the room. Staring at the way the wood is already starting to splinter on the large hutch that sits against the wall, my focus bounces from one piece of china to the next on the shelves. I can’t handle the subtle longing I see in his eyes. It makes me want things I shouldn’t—can’t—want.

I take a deep breath. Physical aggression isn’t really my thing, and I remember doubting this would work for me the first time we came. But surprisingly, I felt better when we left. And I also know I need an outlet this time just as much as Zack does. Something to release the pent-up frustrations and emotions swirling inside me, threatening to swallow me whole.

“Why do I always have to do the right thing?” I lift and swing my hammer with as much force as possible. It collides with a glass bottle, sending the pieces scattering everywhere.

“Because you’re a good person.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m damaged, remember?”

He laughs. “We’re all a little damaged. Doesn’t mean you’re not a good person. Even beautiful flowers have thorns.”

His smile lights up his face, and I have to admit it makes me happy to see. He seems much more himself than when I first saw him in the bar earlier. But the candid desire in his eyes warms my skin and sends my pulse skyrocketing.

A small part of me is ready to say fuck it. Find out what being with him would be like. To have him touch me, look at me like he is now, as he drills into me over and over until I see stars.

“Mia,” a male voice snapped.

I literally jumped in my seat at the sound of my name cutting through my subconscious. I blinked quickly before looking up at Charlie standing next to my desk.

“What is going on with you?” he asked, concern in his eyes.