“Let’s pretend that last conversation never happened.”
“The fuck, Gia! You know that’s not possible.” His eyes bulged in an almost comical
manner.
Whatever his faults, the man did care about her. She’d never seen him so riled up before. He tended to keep things light and casual, which was why his pursuit of her had come out of left field. The little girl with dreams of happily-ever-after who existed buried deep beneath her bramble-infested soul wanted to tell him yes. But she knew better. Lefty had a charismatic, easygoing personality that would consume her. Suck her deep into his world and have her baring her soul. She’d already said too much. “Well, try.”
“No, you don’t get to turn into the ice princess after that shit.” Lefty shook his head.
“This isn’t Frozen, I don’t need thawing.”
“No, bitch, you need your ass whopped and some sense talked into you.”
“You were right before, I was panicked and my thinking was clouded by a number of things.
Running wouldn’t be wise.”
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” His muscles seemed to swell and a vein in his
neck throbbed.
His roar made her wince. “What do you want me to say?” She shrugged, scrambling to
gather the dignity she’d left on the floor when she ran to the bathroom to purge herself.
“I want you to quit bullshitting me. You told me this shit for a reason.”
“You caught me off guard.”
“Bull.” He charged at her.
She tried retreating. “Shit.” She pressed her hands on his chest. “This doesn’t change
anything.”
“It changes everything and you know it.” He clenched his jaw and bent down so close their
noses practically kissed. “You let me see inside of you. Finally, I pierced that wall you keep up between yourself and everyone else.”
“That wasn’t intentional.”
“Just like your body welcomes me and begs me to make it mine, so does your heart.” He
placed his hand over her chest.
Exhausted from the emotional upheaval and in need of something solid, she faltered in the
face of his steadfast assuredness. “Lefty.” Unable to say more, she rested her head against his chest.
“I got you, Gia. Your past doesn’t matter. I want to know whatever you want to tell me, but don’ t think I hold that shit against you. Fuck, you’re a survivor. I always knew that. Not many bitches could hold down a strip club the way you do. You keep people in line and make sure your shit’s together. It’s of one of the things I admire about you. I know this is hard, but the Devils have your back.”
His heartbeat was steady beneath her cheek. The rhythm of it anchored her. His warmth
seeped into her chilled body and she inhaled his masculine scent, allowing herself to believe just for a moment she belonged to him. What would it be like to have a man who’d protect her? How could she trust him not to turn on her, or leave you when something newer or younger came
along? She’d seen it happen too many times, men stepping out on their wives and girlfriends, johns dropping their regular girls like a bad habit when fresh meat came in looking younger and fresh as a daisy. How did you put so much trust in a person? The heart was more than a mere organ. It was the key to your soul. Allowing someone inside gave them power to hurt you.
“Colm.” His voice came out soft and deeper than usual.