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

Arsen gave me a look that held an entire conversation in it.

“Whatever,” Denise said. “I want one of those.”

“I can be bad…” Shane shrugged.

“You have my attention.” Denise leaned toward him.

While she was distracted, I leaned toward Arsen. “What the hell was that?”

“I told you people wouldn’t like me.”

“They won’t if that’s your goal,” I hissed.

“I’m just being myself,” he said. “Or do you want me to act differently?” He challenged me with a look.

“I want you to be exactly how you are when we’re alone together.”

He shook his head slightly. “I only act that way around you for a reason.”

“What reason is that?” I asked.

He gave me a long look. “You already know.”

I sighed and let it go. Baby steps. Baby steps.

Arsen put his arm along the back of my chair and his hand rested on my shoulder. His touch brought me back to earth.

“I don’t know anything about you,” Denise said. “Silke hardly talks about you.”

“I guess I’m her dirty little secret,” Arsen said playfully.

“You wouldn’t be here if you were,” I said.

“So, tell me about yourself,” Denise pressed.

I wasn’t sure how Arsen would handle this question. I let him take the reins.

“My Harley is my best friend. I live in the moment. And Silke is the only woman who can tame me.” He stared at her and fell silent.

Denise stared at him, expecting him to say more. “Is that it?”

He shrugged. “I’m pretty simple. What about you?”

“I’m a computer science major,” she said. “My dad forced me to do it but it’s not so bad. I love the…” Denise talked about herself for fifteen minutes, slurring most of the time.

Arsen successfully diverted the conversation away from himself.

Food and more rounds of drinks were ordered. When we were eating, Arsen kept his hand on my thigh. I liked the affection he was giving me. He was being a real boyfriend, and he was doing a pretty good job of it. Denise and Shane seemed to like him and appreciated his uniqueness.

“Please excuse me.” Arsen rose from the table and headed to the bathroom.

“I’m glad to see you guys getting along,” Denise said.

“It comes and goes,” I said with a shrug.

“But you seem happy,” Denise said.

I couldn’t deny that. “I’m very happy with him.”

“Then I’m cool with him,” Denise said. “As long as he treats you right, I’m okay with that.”

“Thanks.” Having her approval meant a lot to me.

I felt bad Shane was ignored most of the night, living in Arsen’s shadow, so I asked him about school and his life. Like I expected, he was boring. Even though Arsen was annoying because he was so sporadic and unpredictable, there was never a dull moment with him. Shane was going to put me to sleep.

When I glanced toward the bathroom, I saw Arsen leaning against the wall with a smirk on his face. A busty brunette was talking to him. Her head rolled back as she laughed. Her face was heavy with make up and she was definitely a looker.

Arsen kept his hands in his pockets and didn’t touch her but he didn’t walk away either.

Denise followed my gaze. “You want me to kick her ass?”

I smirked. “No, thanks. I can take her. But she’s not worth my time.”

“What happened to your spunk?” she asked. “She’s totally flirting with your man.”

“I’m not worried about it.” I ate more chips then downed my margarita.

“His leather jacket isn’t even that nice…” Shane glanced at him then looked away.

“Does he have any piercings?” Denise asked.

“No.”

“Tattoos?” she asked hopefully.

“No.”

“Really?” She was shocked.

I shrugged. “Arsen is an enigma. I’ve spent a year trying to understand him but I haven’t covered much ground.”

“I could get a tattoo,” Shane said.

“I’m sure you could, baby.” She patted his back then rubbed it.

When I glanced at Arsen, he was still talking to the girl. Actually, she was talking to him. But he was still standing there listening.

The tab came and I paid for our half.

Shane paid for the other.

“Did you guys come here on his Harley?” she asked.

“Yep.”

“Was it scary?” she asked. “If my parents found out I rode a motorcycle, they would kill me.”

“Arsen is a good driver. And my parents wouldn’t care. Actually, my dad would want a go on it.”

“Your parents sound cool,” she said. “My parents are so traditional and stiff. Boring…”

My parents definitely weren’t boring. They screamed at each other night and day. Sometimes I wasn’t sure why they were still together. “Every day is an adventure with my family.”

We grabbed our stuff then prepared to walk out.

“Are you going to retrieve him or what?” Denise asked.