Fighting Solitude (On The Ropes #3)(51)

A sexy growl rumbled from her throat; a chuckle escaped from my own. I continued our kiss as she explored the curves of my glutes. Liv really was an ass girl, and it was all I could do to keep from laughing. Fortunately, the twitch of my cock staved the humor away.

“Let’s take a shower,” I suggested.

Her mouth froze, and her hands suddenly disappeared.

Leaning away to catch her gaze, I prompted, “Liv?”

She looked anywhere but at me. “I…uh…need some time.”

I was fully aware of what she meant, but I pushed anyway. “Okay, well, just meet me in my bathroom in a few.”

“That’s not what I mean.” She went to work picking invisible fuzz off her dress. “I think…we need to take a step back. A lot has happened tonight. I can’t do this with you. I know what I said earlier…but…we’ve established my body’s stance on this whole thing, but my mind is reeling. I think I need some space. I’m sorry. I hear what you’re saying—I swear I do. I’m just…not ready.”

“Fine, I’ll give you some time.”

Her gaze shot to mine. “Really?”

“Yeah, really. You’re right. A lot did happen tonight. And, shit, Liv. It was incredible.” I fisted my hands in the fabric at her hips. “But, tomorrow night, we’re going on a date.”

Her eyes flashed with excitement before dimming with dread. “I’m not thinking that’s a good idea.”

I pecked her unresponsive lips. “Then stop thinking. If you’re not ready for alone-and-naked yet, you have to at least give me clothed-and-public. Besides, I have somewhere special I want to take you.”

Again with the flash of excitement. “Quarry—”

“Go. Before I’m forced to change my mind about the shower.” I nipped at her bottom lip.

The war within showed on her face. She wanted to be in that shower with me. She just wouldn’t allow herself to have it.

“Go.” I gently pushed her shoulder to get her feet moving.

I stood in the doorway, watching her shuffle down the hall. Just before she disappeared into her bedroom, she peeked over her shoulder.

“Later, Q.”

The corner of my mouth hiked. She needed normal. I could give her that.

For now.

“Later, Rocky.”




Twenty minutes later, I was standing in our kitchen with the sink running.

While our apartment was relatively nice, it was still an apartment. The water pressure was shit when someone was in the shower, which…up until that moment had been annoying as hell. But, as I waited not so patiently for the signal that Liv’s shower had turned off, I definitely considered it a perk.

My hearing aids were in a case on my nightstand, and I was wearing a pair of flannel pajama pants and a gray thermal top Eliza had given me for Christmas the year before. They had never been worn, and I could promise they’d never be worn again. I’d felt like I was wrapping myself in a cotton body condom just pulling the damn shirt on. But, if I wanted my plan to work, sacrifices had to be made.

When the water on the faucet suddenly picked up to full blast, I turned it off and shifted my attention to the clock on the stove. For ten agonizing minutes, I stared at those sluggish, red numbers, nervously waiting until I was sure she was dressed.

Strolling past her door with the casual coolness of a man on fire, I spotted the blue tint of her nightlight.

That was my cue.

She was in bed.

And, in less than a minute, I would be too.

I opted for the element of surprise, pushing her door open without so much as a knock.

She sat straight up as I stepped into her room.

Her mouth moved with words I was able to read as, “Hey, what’s up?”

My cocky grin shifted to a grimace when I caught sight of the glistening tracks of her tears.

I wanted to ask if she was okay. But I knew she wasn’t. She had probably been in that shower drowning herself in worthless guilt while trying to frantically scrub away whatever had been left of me from between her legs. Not too long ago, the idea of her cleansing me from her body would have wrecked me. Now, with the knowledge that she was not only on the same page I was, but fourteen years’ worth of pages ahead of me, I was willing to let it go. After our conversation in the ring, Liv could reject me for the rest of her life and I’d never stop trying.

I didn’t say anything as I flipped her covers back and slid into the bed beside her. I faintly heard the bass line of whatever music she was playing, or maybe that was the pounding in my chest when I saw she was wearing those little, pink shorts again.

Her mouth moved, no doubt to scold me, but I gave her arm a tug and pulled her down onto my chest.

“I gave you time.”

She pushed away and lifted her hands to translate the accusation her voice was communicating. “An hour is not time!”

“It was actually only thirty minutes, but I’m a man who lives life in three-minute increments in the ring. Rest assured, it felt like a lifetime. I’d like to note that I’m not naked. That was all I promised you. Now. Can we get some sleep? I’m exhausted.” I fake yawned and stretched my arms.

She shot me the glare I’d expected. “You’re not sleeping in here!”

“Yes, I am.”