Page 37 of Gator

We crossed the common area in silence, the others’ laughter following us all the way to my door.

Chapter eleven

Gator

The door to his apartment clicked shut behind us, and for a second, I just stood there, trying to decide if I was actually going to do this. It was a bad idea to get involved with someone I was protecting. I knew that. But at this point, I was fighting a losing battle, and I knew it. I’d wanted him for too long.

He was fussing with the bird, trying to set her on top of her cage. She flapped once and muttered, “Going up, going up,” like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Julius snorted softly. “Behave. It’s time for bed.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, watching him. He was so fucking beautiful it pissed me off. Hair all messed up from leaning over the pool table, cheeks flushed from laughing withmy people like he belonged here. I knew it wasn’t fair for me to be angry. I was the one who’d decided I needed space and sent him up here by himself.

He turned around, trying for that bright, sassy smile I’d seen all damn day. But I could see the nerves underneath it now that we were alone.

“Have fun out there?” My voice sounded like gravel.

He nodded slowly. “Yeah. I did.”

I could feel my jaw working. Grinding.

“Looked like it,” I said, voice coming out harsher than I meant.

He rolled his eyes. “Jesus, Gator. It was pool and trash talk, not an orgy.”

My temper snapped. Three long strides and I was in his space, pressing him back until his shoulders hit the wall with a soft thud. He sucked in a sharp breath, and I planted one hand next to his head and leaned in, close enough to feel the heat coming off him.

“Don’t,” I growled. “Don’t even fucking joke about that.”

His eyes widened, lips parting. “Gator—”

I grabbed his jaw, not rough, but firm enough he’d know I wasn’t fucking around. My thumb brushed his cheek. His skin was hot under my hand. “I’m so goddamn tired of fighting it,” I said, voice cracking around the words. “Tired of pretending I don’t want you. All fucking day, watching you laugh with your customers. You fucking glow when you’re working. Did you know that?”

He bit his bottom lip and shook his head.

“Well, you do. When we came home, I thought I needed some space to get my head on straight, but then there you were, charming all my friends, and Axel.” I glared down at him. “Fucking Axel had his hands on you. I’m done, Julius. I’m done.”

His breath shuddered. “Good,” he whispered, that defiant gleam in his eyes. “Because I’m pretty sure I’ve wanted you since you told me to shut up the first time we met.”

That forced a rough, humorless laugh out of me.

“Brat.”

He smirked. “True, but I could beyourbrat.”

That was it.

I crashed my mouth onto his, all teeth and heat and frustration, and he kissed me back like he’d been waiting for this, hands fisting in my shirt, dragging me closer until I couldn’t breathe.

I felt the tremor in his legs and curled an arm around his waist, hauling him up tighter against me.

“Fuck,” I muttered into his mouth, pulling back just enough to see his eyes. I slid my hands down to his hips. “You want this?” I demanded.

“Yes.”

“Yes, who?” I growled.

“Yes, Daddy,” he said sweetly.