Page 79 of Protecting What's Mine

“In what capacity? A quick fuck? A long-term girlfriend? Because I’m neither of those things.” Her words were sharp, hard.

“Tell me whatyouwant, Mackenzie.”

“I asked you first.”

Fine. Truth. “First, I want to see that lipstick smeared on your mouth, my mouth, my cock, and any damn where else you want to kiss me. Nothing’s off-limits for you, Dreamy. Then I want to feel you come around me. I want to be holding you when you let go. I want to go off with you. After that, I want to eat ice cream in bed with you. Then I figured we’d date for enough time to convince you that fate brought you here exactly when we both needed it. We’ll have a wedding. Probably a big one because the whole station is gonna want to be there and you’ve seen the size of my family. Sunshine can be our flower dog. We’ll live a long, happy life together. How do you feel about kids? I wouldn’t mind a couple. But I’d rather have you.”

She sagged against the wall, blew out a swift breath. “I’m only here for six months,” she argued.

“That’s your plan. Plans can change.”

“That’s what people say when it’s someone else’s plan.”

“Baby, I’m just asking you to be open to the possibility.”

“The possibility of what? Fucking you and one of us discarding the other after a few weeks? Or giving up the career I’ve had my eye on since I was six years old and becoming a small-town wife?”

He wasn’t sure which outcome scared her more. “Fine. We’ll move. Anywhere your career takes you. Me and Sunshine will be there.”

“Linc.” Her voice broke. “We haven’t even had sex, and you’re planning a future.”

“We can remedy that soon enough.” His dick pulsed its agreement. “But I’d rather talk to you first. What’s got you so riled, Mackenzie?”

“Riled?” She paced in front of him.

Irritation crackled off her. Irritation and that fear again.

“You pressuring me is not attractive.”

He felt his own spine stiffen.So they were both button pushers. “I’m not pressuring you. I didn’t shove your hand down my pants. I didn’t take your shirt off.”

Flustered now, he saw. Her cheeks were flushed. Eyes glassy.

“Just because you’re used to getting in a woman’s pants doesn’t mean you’re getting in mine,” she said.

“What the hell is this, Mack?” Now he was getting mad.

“I’m saying your confidence doesn’t mean I have to fuck you.”

“You’re damn right it doesn’t. Now, tell me what this is really about. Because I’m not ashamed of how I live my life. How I treat the people in it.”

“You bounce from woman to woman, never getting too close. Now, you’re claiming that I’m ‘different’ and I’m ‘special’ and I need to give up everything so I can be different and special for you.”

Linc’s hands closed into fists on his knees. “I’m gonna give you a pass on that one. Because you’re pissed off and scared. But don’t putyourshit on me. I’ve been nothing but honest with you.”

“Are you saying I haven’t been honest with you?”

“I’m saying you aren’t being honest with yourself. You’re scared because you feel something. I feel it, too. But the difference is I’m up for the adventure. I’m not interested in hiding from it. Maybe you’re more comfortable with being numb?”

She threw her hands up in the air. “I can’t believe I almost—”

“What?” he asked, standing. “Let yourself feel something real? Be not completely in control for once in your life?”

“Fuck off, Linc.”

“Back at you, Dreamy,” he said, brushing past her to the door. “You can let yourself out.”

He’d deny her the fight she was itching for. The reason she could use to back away. Call it quits. Hide.