Page 50 of The Write Off
“I never said he was the worst. I said I get pissed at him.”
“Why?”
She lets go of my hand and moves away so she can face me. She pulls her long legs into her chest, and I sense her retreating into herself, pulling away from me. Grabbing her by the ankles, I extend her legs across my lap, keeping my hands resting on her knee. Her mouth twitches and I feel her relaxing.
“Right now, it’s because of you, actually.”
Interesting. “How so?”
“Remember when I told you I had plans last night? I was with Josh and Betty at our friends Maggie and Callum’s place. I told them that we’re dating.”
My eyebrows shoot up and I don’t even attempt to hold back my grin. “You told your friends about me?”
“Could you look any more pleased with yourself?” She gives me a weak shove, but I can tell my reaction pleases her. “Yes, I told them we were seeing each other. And Josh was a complete dick about it.”
I feel my brow furrow. I’ve never met her brother, but I’m not sure why he would have any cause to dislike me. “Do you think he’s just looking out for you? Being a protective older brother?”
She snorts. “I think he was more concerned for you, to be honest. He thinks I’m going to implode my life, essentially. That this is bound to go up in flames and that my book will be incinerated along with it.”
“And deep down you agree with him.”
There’s hurt in her eyes when she looks at me. She tries to take her legs off my lap, but I hold them in place while inching a bit closer to her.
“On some level. Yes. I feel like I’m going to fuck this up. Not on purpose. But maybe it’s inevitable; it’s what I do. I self-sabotage. And I don’t want you to get hurt. Because I like you.”
“I like you, too. And I don’t think you’re going to fuck this up.”
“Always so sure. So confident. I’m not sure I can date someone so perfect. I’ll bring you down.”
“I’m far from perfect, Rilla. And I’ve got my own fears about this if it makes you feel better.”
This gets her attention. “Like what?”
“I’ve been told I’m too honest. I know that it sounds like a good thing, but I’ve alienated a lot of people because of it. I can’t put on a smile and tell people what they want to hear. And I feel like people like me less because of it. I’m worried that you will like me less because of it. Maybe not today or next week, but someday I’ll say something you don’t want to hear and you’ll hate me for it.” I shrug, tapping my fingers on her kneecap.
“I like that you’re honest,” she insists a bit sadly.
“For now.” I reach out and push a wild curl behind her ear. It springs back immediately and I have to laugh. Even her hair is defiant. “The book is safe. It’s finished and scheduled for release. Even if I wanted to stop it, I couldn’t. And I need you to know that I would never try, regardless of what happens.”
“I know that.”
“What if we leave everyone else’s feelings about this at the door and just focus on us? We’ll take this slow and not get ahead of ourselves.”
She leans forward and my eyes fall to her cleavage again. “How slow? I believe I was promised a tour of the bedroom.”
With my fingers in her hair, I pull her mouth to meet mine marveling at how someone with the ability to be so salty can taste so sweet.
I loop my arms around her and stand, knowing that if I don’t, we’ll never make it down the hall to my room.
Rilla squeals and attempts to escape my grasp. “I refuse to be carried like a bride, Logan.”
“Suit yourself.” I hoist her up onto my shoulder with ease, loving the reaction I get. When she fails to wiggle out of my hold, she pulls my hair. That earns her a swift smack on her ass as I carry her down the hall.
“Oh, I am going to destroy you,” she seethes.
I’m going to let you.
Chapter 25