Debt

"Yeah, well, he'd be a pretty shitty security guard if he didn't notice obvious shit."

"So you think so too, huh?" I asked, trying hard to fight the insecurity at flirting with him. It wasn't like me. I wasn't flirty by nature. But it was fun to have an exchange with Byron that wasn't cool and distant or hot and intense. It was nice for things to be... normal.

"Maybe. I could use a better... taste before I make my decision," he said, his grin turning wicked, his eyes getting hot. And I was pretty damn sure that he wasn't talking about my mouth.

"Gee, I dunno. I was taught something about candy and strangers..."

"So you don't want to fuck Matt?"

"Are you jealous?"

"I don't share my candy, Prue."

"What happened to one and done?" I asked.

"Different."

"How is it different?"

"Do you always have to be so fucking difficult?"

"Yes," I said, with a small smile.

"I don't fucking know, babe. It just is. Lyla was an itch that needed scratching. That's it. Nothing more. Didn't need to rake my skin raw after I got it to go away."

And, well, that did kind of make sense. In a total douchebag kind of way.

"So I'm... not an itch?" I asked, my throat a little tight at asking something that needy, but needing to understand where he was coming from or I would drive myself insane.

"Honestly, babe, I don't know what the fuck you are. I can't give you promises. I'm not that kind of man. Maybe once will get it out of our systems, maybe not. I have no fucking clue. I just know that this needs to happen."

"Have you considered how this might not be a great..."

"Babe, it could end up like an atomic bomb."

"But you still want..."

"Think I've proved that I want you, Prue."

They weren't flowery words, but they made my belly do a strange little flip-flop.

I swallowed hard, willing myself to choke out the words that felt caught at the back of my throat. I wasn't a good communicator in general, but when it came to things like sex, I was downright atrocious. But I wanted to step out of that comfort zone. I wanted to push my own limits. Those parts of me, they could only come out and exist if I allowed them to.

"I want you too," I admitted, my words barely an airy whisper, but they came out and, judging by the way that his face seemed to almost soften a little, suggested he heard. "I mean I know you know that. I just... I wanted..."

"You don't need to clarify that statement," he said gently. "I know you want me," he said, leaning forward slightly so his face ducked down near my neck, his breath warm on it, "but that doesn't mean I don't like hearing it." I felt myself shiver at the same time my insides flip-flopped. His lips pressed into the sensitive inch of skin directly under my ear. My air sighed out of me as the tip of his tongue traced the spot as well. One of his hands grabbed my hip and pressed me tightly against him, making me acutely aware of his cock against my heat. My legs rose up, going tight against his hips, my arms grabbing his shoulders. "Nuh-uh," he said, pulling back against my hold.

"What?" I asked, opening my heavy eyes to find him looking way too pleased with himself.

"Not here. Not in the middle of the day. Not with Ella eavesdropping."

"Ella is checking the second fridge," I insisted, wrapping my legs a little tighter.

"Babe, I don't have a second fridge."

It was so unexpected, a surprised and loud laugh erupted out of me, making me throw my head back. When I looked back at Byron, he was watching me intensely, lips curved up ever so slightly. "You didn't even flinch at her lie!"

"Ella has worked for me a long time, babe. Nothing she could say could make me flinch."

"She's not really eavesdropping is she?" I asked, dropping my voice low.

"I bet she was until I declared that she was."

"Oh, my God," I groaned, face-planting into his chest in embarrassment. I'd told him I wanted him while she was listening on? That was just... humiliating.

"She likes you," he said oddly, his hand landing in the center of my back.

"That just makes it worse," I said, shaking my head.

"She likes you enough to tell you to run screaming."

"Probably smart advice," I mused, knowing I should pull backward, but it felt good to be there like that. It felt right to share the moment with him.

"You should follow it. I'm not a bad man, Prue. But I'm not a good one either."

"You're trying to talk me out of it?" I asked his chest, my brows drawing together.

"Just reminding you of what I told you last night. I am what I am and I'm not gonna change."