If You Were Mine(3)

The very thought of Daisy being around a bunch of drunken assholes pissed me off. Them trying to touch her, hit on her… take her to their bed for the night… Yeah, it pissed me off, made me see red.

Maybe I shouldn't have cared, shouldn't have been as upset as I was. She was free to do what she wanted.

But the truth of the matter was I wanted her so much that I knew I couldn't stay back. I knew I wouldn't, couldn't stay away.

So, even though it was smarter for me to keep my distance from Daisy, I wouldn’t. I couldn’t. She was my reality. I knew that without a doubt. I’d been a coward for not saying anything sooner.

Forget anyone and anything that could stop me from being with her, from finally admitting how I felt.

I didn't care if it was frowned upon that she was a commoner and I was royalty. I didn't care what my parents would think, what the media would say, or how it would all be perceived. I knew what I wanted, and I wouldn’t stop until I had it.

Daisy would be mine, whether she knew it or not.

It was just a matter of making her see that we belonged together, that rumors or accusations, or the spotlight of a relationship with me wouldn't ruin her. I’d protect her, make sure she was always safe. And anyone who thought that they could come after her would have to go through me.

I walked over, grabbed my jacket and shoes and put them on. It would be tricky getting out of the palace, especially if I didn't want an escort, which I didn't. But I had my ways of getting around all that.

At the end of the day there was nothing that would stop me from going to Daisy tonight.





3





Lennon




I walked into The Pub and pulled my ball cap down a little lower. At least I had been smart enough to grab it before I left my room, and I wondered if it was even necessary. Would anybody even recognize me here, knowing they were drunk as fuck?

The music was blaring, the voices loud. It was obvious that everybody was probably getting good and plastered, so the chances that they would even know who I was in their inebriated state were pretty slim.

I made my way to the side, dodging people who were grinding up against each other, others who were acting rowdy as hell, and scanned the pub to see if I could spot Daisy.

Someone knocked into me and apologized, but I kept moving, kept scanning the interior, trying to see Daisy. Maybe she’d decided not to come out tonight? That thought had the possessiveness in me dimming slightly. I’d want her at home and safe, not around a bunch of assholes.

But then I saw her, sitting at one of the tables with a girl. She had a beer in front of her, the glass only half full, her focus on it.

My heart stilled just a little bit but then doubled in speed. My need for her rose up, this vicious beast inside of me. I didn’t know what happened to me in the time since breakfast and now, but I was done waiting, done caring what anyone thought.

I had absolutely no plan for what I was going to say or do tonight. Maybe I would just stay in the background and watch over her, protect her? And then when she headed back to the palace, or to her apartment, I could be honest with her then.

I leaned against the wall and just watched her, my focus solely on her, my need for Daisy growing by the second. It was as if something broke inside of me, this dam crushing forward, my emotions spilling out.

It was as if when I finally realized, understood, that I wouldn't hold myself back from her any longer, that this vicious beast rose up in me. I hoped she felt the same when I did admit how I felt.

And then I saw her stand and head over to the back hallway. I assumed she was going to the restroom. I straightened, pushing off the wall and walking to where she was headed.

I really didn't want to talk to her about any of this in a pub, but I also didn't want to seem like an asshole for knowing where she went and following her here just to talk to her.

But speaking with Daisy about my feelings while she was wearing the wait staff uniform and bringing me breakfast seemed grossly out of place. I wanted us on the same level, even though I already knew and felt like we were.

I positioned myself so I could still see the hallway where the bathroom was, and figured I’d talk to her when she was out. I’d explain that I needed to speak with her about something important. Not the way I wanted to go about this, but I was tired of waiting.

And when she finally came out, my entire body stiffened, my heart raced, and every part of me wanted to go to her in that moment. She had her head down, glancing at her phone, and she’d never looked more beautiful.

I saw some asshole come up to her, all but blocking her way. She glanced up, seeming startled. She smiled but I could tell it was uncomfortable, maybe even a little nervous. Whatever he was saying she shook her head, the smile still in place, but looking more forced by the second. And when he reached out and start playing with a tendril of her hair I could see the discomfort in her face rising.

Something in me snapped, this beast being unleashed, tearing right through the cage where I’d apparently had it housed deep within me. I felt myself getting closer to her, my legs moving swiftly, my body propelling toward the threat I saw.

I gripped the asshole’s arm and yanked him away. I could smell the booze coming from him instantly, and his bloodshot, glossed-over gaze locked with mine. I heard this low rumble and realized it came from me.

“Don't fucking touch her,” I said harshly. I saw the anger wash over his face only a second before he lifted his arm and started swinging at me. But I’d had plenty of training, knew how to handle myself. I blocked the move and took a step back. I wanted to fight him, to defend the woman I cared about. But now wasn’t the time.