You Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)(3)

I moved to the couch then crawled into his lap. “You know what I want?”

He leaned back and rested his hands on the couch, not touching me. He didn’t respond to my question. He acted like I hadn’t said anything.

“For you to satisfy me.” My meaning hung in the air.

His eyes darted back to mine. “Sex will postpone this fight, not end it.”

“We aren’t having a fight. You’re going to that ceremony with me. End of discussion.”

He growled in annoyance. “I like that you see the good in me, but you shouldn’t see things that don’t exist. I’m not ready for that.”

“You will be. Give it time.”

He looked away again, the annoyance brewing in his eyes.

“Now are you going to make love to me or will I have to do it by myself?”

One side of his lip upturned in an involuntary smile. “I wouldn’t mind watching that.”

I slowly moved off his lap then headed to my bedroom. “Then hurry up before you miss the previews.” When I reached my door, I heard his quick footsteps behind me.

“I wouldn’t miss that for anything.”

***

Theo was quiet and thoughtful. His face was set in a permanent scowl, and every now and then he released a random grunt like he was pissed about something.

“Why are you acting like a caveman?” I asked.

We were sitting in the library at our usual table. It didn’t feel the same without the rest of the group, but we made due without them. I missed Skye and Trinity, two of my close friends, and I hated being the only girl left in school.

Theo narrowed his eyes at me. “I’m not acting like a caveman.”

“You growled at me.”

“No, I didn’t,” Theo argued.

“You growled at me too,” Conrad added.

“I did?” he asked. He shook his head quickly. “Whatever. I’m just tired.”

“Is it that girl?” Conrad asked.

That caught my attention. “What girl?”

Theo rolled his eyes. “This stupid girl at my studio is making my life a living hell.”

“What did she do?” I asked.

“She’s just annoying.” He pulled out his phone and avoided eye contact.

I turned to Conrad, silently asking him what the problem was.

He shrugged then looked away.

“You want me to take her out?” I asked.

Theo laughed lightly. “She’d rip you apart, Silke.”

“I could take her,” I said firmly.

“No, you couldn’t.” Conrad was smiling broadly. “Because she kicked Theo’s ass in a match.”

Theo looked like he might explode. If he had a gun, it would be pointed at Conrad. “She did not!”

“He’s still touchy about it…” Conrad’s eyes were bright with mischief.

I covered my mouth and tried not to laugh. “A girl beat you up?”

“She didn’t beat me up,” he argued. “We were sparring.”

“But she beat you?” I asked.

“No…well…technically. But only because I let her.” He leaned back in his chair with a sneer on his face.

The idea of Theo being thrown to the ground by a girl was hilarious. “She and I would probably get along well.”

“You and everyone else I work with,” Theo said miserably.

“I want to see this chick,” Conrad said. “She deserves a medal.”

“She challenged me to another match,” Theo said. “Loser has to apologize to the other.”

Conrad’s jaw dropped. “I’m so going to that—with popcorn.”

“Me too,” I said. “She’s my hero.”

“I’ll beat her this time,” Theo said. “I won’t go easy on her.”

Conrad winked at me. “Sure, man.”

“I will,” he hissed.

“We aren’t judging you,” I said. “Lots of guys get beat up by girls.”

“They do?” Theo asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, in second grade,” I said with a laugh.

Conrad cracked up and tried to keep his voice down.

“Go to hell.” Theo ignored us and played with his phone.

I exchanged a smirk with Conrad then pulled out the letter. “I’ve got news.”

“What?” Conrad asked. “That guy left you alone?”

I forgot about that. “Yeah, he’s not a problem. It’s something else.”

“What guy?” Theo’s voice was serious. He went from hating me one second to being protective a second later.

“Nobody,” I said. I handed the paper to Conrad. “One of my sculptures has been nominated for an award.”

“Seriously?” Theo asked.

Conrad read through the letter. “Sick.” He nodded his head enthusiastically. “Congrats, Silke.”

“Thanks.” I felt my cheeks blush slightly.

“Let me see.” Theo snatched the paper away. “Cool. That’s awesome.”

“I’m pretty excited. Even if I don’t win, I’m flattered I was considered,” I said.