Love You Always

That both scares the hell out of me and pulls me to her. She is naïve in some ways. She needs someone to take care of her so that she doesn’t forget to eat. Or go home with a man she only knew for an hour.

Yeah, she needs someone to watch out for her. And since it’s crystal clear that I need her too, I nominate myself for the position. My life has been hell since she slipped from it. I couldn't go back there. She settled something deep inside of me. I hadn’t even known it needed to be calmed, but she’d done it.

Her eyes get big as the server starts to put all the food I ordered down onto the table.

“Can I get you anything else?”

Neily shakes her head no. “I think we’re good.” She wanders off, leaving us alone.

“I’m going to weigh a few more pounds before I leave here.” She picks up the cheeseburger and takes a giant bite from it. “This is so good,” she says around a mouthful of food before shoving more into her mouth. “Aren't you going to eat?” She puts the burger down, reaching for a mozzarella stick.

“Yeah.” I pull the steak towards me and cut off a piece. I don’t taste anything because all of my focus is on watching her. The sounds she makes as she tastes a little of everything on the table are enough to kill me. My cock begs to be inside of her and my mouth waters to taste her again.

“Is it good?”

“You tell me.” I cut off a bite for her. She opens her mouth for me as I feed it to her. She lets out a small moan that doesn’t help the state I’m in. I know now that she has a moan for when she eats and another for when she comes.

“I like it.” I feed her another bite. “Alyssa always cooks for me.” She looks down at the burger in front of her.

“What’s wrong?” I reach across the table, lifting her chin to look at me. I don’t want her to feel sad. “Tell me.” That bright light that’s always around her has dimmed. I want to fix it. I want to spend my life making sure it shines as bright as it can.

“Nothing. My best friend, Alyssa. She’s moving out. It’s going to be weird not having her around. I’ve never been alone before. It’s always been her and me since we were little.”

“You’re not alone,” I try and reassure her. Fuck, that look in her eyes is killing me.

“I know. It’s just a change. I love change and new things. I don’t know why I’m taking this so hard. I’m happy for her. I really am.”

“I know you are.” She gives me a soft smile that meets her eyes. “We still own a business together so I’ll see her all the time. I’m guessing they don't want me moving in next to them.” She lets out an adorable snort. “Not that I could afford to. Sean King is mega rich.” That explains why Neily was at the club the other night. She didn't look like the type that went clubbing.

“Tell me about your business.” I lean back in the booth as I listen to her tell me about the little shop she and her best friend opened together called Love Bites. It’s a little bakery that makes small cakes but also sells the art she makes. From paintings to furniture that she’s redone. She really does like to do a little of everything.

“You don’t call it Love Bites because Alyssa and you think that love bites, do you?” It has me thinking someone hurt her. I hate the idea of her having some ex as much as I hate thinking someone would break her heart. Either way, I want to level whoever the dumb fuck is and thank him for leaving her for me to have.

“Nah. It’s because every bite Alyssa makes is filled with love.” I watch as some of the light that dimmed comes back to her. “I don’t date. I’m too busy.” She picks up her burger, taking a bite from it.

“What do you call this?” She looks up like she’s thinking before she puts her elbows on the table, leaning forward as if to tell me a secret.

“Is this a date?” she whispers, her eyebrows furrowing together as she thinks about it. I have to fight a laugh.

“You’ve been declaring that we are going to have sex through half the dinner and you’re whispering about this being a date?”

“I don’t date,” she says again. I think she is trying to convince herself. Not me.

“You just have sex?” If that’s the case, she’s going to be in for a rude awakening. I’m not going to have sex with her. Not yet anyway. It may kill me to keep my hands off her but I know it’s what I need to do. I have a feeling my pixie might get what she wants and slip right through my fingers if I’m not careful with her. I’m not making that mistake again. I’ve faced down some of the scariest men in the ring, yet the thought of not having her in my life strikes fear in me. I pick up my water, taking a sip.