Fighting Shadows (On the Ropes #2)(33)

“Pick one? Pick. One?” he repeated in disbelief.

I confidently held his stare. “That’s what I said. No need to repeat it.”

For several seconds, I could physically see this unknown truth waging war with his body. His breathing sped up, and his eyes flashed from the van back to mine, finally landing on the ground again.

“Why the hell are you here?” he finally gritted out.

“Well, it’s not for the cheerful company. That’s for sure,” I snarked back.

He looked up, his angry fa?ade melting away. “I’m serious. Why are you here? You’re gorgeous, and smart . . . and funny. What the f*ck are you doing here with me?”

I shrugged. “I like you. Wait.” I dramatically lifted a finger. “I like the sweet personality. That other one is a real dick.”

“I am that dick though. I’m a bitter * who stands at six foot four, yet you will always be looking down at me.”

My head snapped back. “Are you kidding me? Who the hell am I to look down at anyone?”

“You don’t get it. I have nothing to offer you. Nothing.”

“Okay,” I drawled. “I guess the good news is I’m not asking for anything. I just like hanging out with you. Wait.” I dramatically lifted my finger again, causing him to roll his eyes. “The sweet one,” I clarified before flashing him a smile.

He sucked in a deep breath and then admitted, “I hate that you’re taller than I am.”

“I’m only five nine. You’ve got me by, like, seven inches.”

“You know what I mean.”

“No, I really don’t,” I replied, turning to follow his eyes down.

Two black silhouettes stretched out across the asphalt in front of us. Just as to be expected, mine towered over his.

“Oh, hey! I can fix this!” I exclaimed, walking backwards until our shadows were level with each other.

“Don’t be a smartass,” he snarled.

I took two giant steps backwards until his seated shadow was notably longer than mine. “And look, you’re six four again.” I laughed.

Flint, however, didn’t find it amusing. “You’re ridiculous.” He yanked the van door open.

“Am I? Because I just gave you exactly what you wanted and it still isn’t enough. Maybe you could try to just be happy with what you do have instead of focusing on what you don’t.”

He froze.

“Flint, don’t get so caught up on the shadow that you forget the man who casts it. You might not be able to walk, but that’s the extent of your disability.”

I watched him for several seconds until he eventually became unstuck. He didn’t even spare me a backward glance as he climbed into the driver’s seat. After collapsing his wheelchair, he slung it in the back door.

“Get in the van, Ash,” he ordered roughly, starting the engine.

When he shifted into gear, I didn’t have much choice but to obey or be left in the middle of the road.

We drove home in silence. I wasn’t sure what else to say. I thought my inspirational speech had been pretty freaking awesome; obviously, Flint didn’t share my feelings. For ten excruciating minutes, he blankly stared out the windshield without even acknowledging I existed.

As we pulled into his parking lot, nerves started to flutter in my stomach. I wasn’t ready to leave him yet, especially when I didn’t know if it was for the last time.

“Flint—” I started when he put the car in park, but that was all I got out.

He plucked me out of my seat and dragged me over the armrests until his mouth collided with mine. My knees banged around and my feet became painfully tangled behind me, but that wasn’t why I moaned.

“You,” he accused against my lips before sealing his mouth over mine. His tongue swirled greedily, and I met him stroke for stroke.

After scrambling the rest of the way into his lap, I settled my ass on the steering wheel and squeezed my legs into the tight spaces on either side of his hips. His hands sifted through my hair as he continued to hold my mouth with against his own.

I was an all-too-willing victim though.

“I’m assuming you’re not trying to get rid of me anymore.” I teased, but he took my mouth again, transforming my words into a moan.

“You,” he repeated.

I didn’t quite understand how that was an answer to my question, but I can’t say that I didn’t love it.

Me.

For over a half hour at noon, Flint and I made out in the front seat of his van. He never attempted to take it any further. Rather, he seemed content with ravaging my neck and mouth, and I was more than content with letting him do it.

Finally, he released my swollen lips. Holding each side of my face, he tipped his forehead to mine. “I’m going to follow you to drop off your dad’s car. I want you to spend the day with me. I’ll bring you back home later tonight.”

“Okay,” I breathed.

“And, Ash.”

I looked up at him as I crawled off his lap, smoothing down my hair.

“I’ll get whatever welcome mat you want as long as you just promise to keep using it.”

My smile was unrivaled, and my heart soared. “I can do that.”

I could do that.

I could so do that.