Saxon(20)

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to,” he replies, sighing. “I don’t want to scare you off, but I’ve never been this crazy about a woman in my life.”

I look at him but stay silent.

“I’m crazy about you, Tee. Everything about you. The way you look at life, the way you embrace it. Your strength, your beauty, your kindness. Every damn thing about you.”

I get what he’s trying to tell me. But how can I mean that much to him? We haven’t even slept together yet. It’s not exactly realistic. Yet at the same time, we can’t seem to stay away from each other.

“I’ve wanted you for so long,” he continues. “I watched you from afar, I tried to talk to you when the opportunity arose. Even when you turned me down it didn’t deter me. Nothing could. So I may have a past with Lexi, but that’s all it is. A past. You have a past too and don’t think I don’t want to stalk down every other man you’ve been with and beat the shit out of them for touching what’s mine—because I do.”

“It’s not the same,” I say softly.

“It is to me. To me Lexi is just an ex.”

I take his hand in mine but divert my gaze back to the TV.

I’m just going to live in the now.

I’ll let future Tenielle worry about anything else.





Chapter Twelve

Saxon

I show up at Tee’s apartment every night I’m able to for the next three weeks. I usually bring something with me—those damn jam donuts she loves so much or something or the other. We hang out, go for a movie, or out for dinner. Normal couple stuff, but we haven’t spoken about us actually being a couple. She’s slowly becoming comfortable with me and more affectionate. A few more times she’s tried to get us to have sex, but I make her come instead, trying to hold off.

When I finally do get inside her, I want her to know she’s mine.

I already know it.

She just needs to catch up.

“If you don’t f*ck me tonight I’m finding someone else who will,” she threatens, and not for the first time. We’re at my house, and she’s standing there in my shirt with her hands on her hips and death in her eyes.

I inwardly smile.

Fiery, my woman is.

However, I call her bluff.

I know I’ve gotten under her skin—just as she’s gotten under mine. I just don’t know if she knows it yet, or if she’s still in denial.

I’m going with the latter.

I sit down on my couch and pull her on top of my lap. “You think I don’t want to? You’re not the only one going crazy here. I just need to make sure you want something with me. Something more than just sex.”

“Do you want your name tattooed on my forehead first?” she grumbles, grinding her teeth together.

Yep. Definitely pissed.

I shut her up with a kiss.

“Is that a yes,” she asks against my lips.

“Are you mine?” I ask her, my cock straining against her.

She mumbles something.

“What?” I ask.

“I belong to myself,” she grits out, shooting a glare my way.

If looks could kill.

She has such a need to be independent, to be in control of herself.

“I know that,” I reply in a calm tone. “I just need you to admit that there’s something going on between us.”

“Of course there f*cking is!” she snaps, throwing her hands in the air. “We see each other every chance we can, I’m not with anyone else, and you sure as hell better not be with anyone else!”

I try to hide my grin. “You think I’m gonna put this much effort into trying to get you, then f*ck someone else behind your back? This isn’t a game, Tee.”

“It sure feels like one,” she says, looking away from me.

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” I tell her, gripping her chin in my hand and making her look at me. “I love you. I want you. And if you don’t want the same, I don’t know what the f*ck I’m gonna do with myself.”

Her eyes flare at my admission.

“I don’t want you to change, I love you just the way you are,” I tell her. “I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re smart, sexy, and passionate. Also a little weird and quirky.”

Her lip twitches as that.

“I’m a rock star. If I wanted an easy lay, trust me, one would only be a finger crook away,” I say.

The amusement leaves her expression. “You egotistical…”

“Babe, it’s the truth,” I tell her before she can curse me out. “And you know it. But I don’t want anyone other than you. I’m f*cking obsessed with you.”

“So what do you want from me Saxon?” she finally asks, her hands resting on my shoulders.

“I want you to be my woman,” I tell her. “I want you to tell your family that you’re dating me, and that it’s serious. And I want you to stop pretending that this doesn’t mean anything to you.”

“Of course it means something to me,” she says, resting her forehead on mine. “No matter how much I don’t want to want you, I do. I can’t stop myself.”

Okay, that wasn’t exactly what I was hoping to hear, but it’s something.