Into The Fire - E. L. Todd Page 0,82
my sleeve. “Why?” I wasn’t perfect by any means but I was a good guy. “It seemed like you wanted me for the three months we were together. Actually, it seemed like you couldn’t get enough of me.” I tried not to sound arrogant but it was a struggle.
Alessandra regarded me coldly. “I don’t date liars.”
Liar? She thought I was a liar? “I can honestly tell you I’ve never lied to you—to anyone.”
She shook her head in disappointment.
“I haven’t,” I barked. “What do you think I lied about?”
“You want to know something?”
“I guess…”
“A few months ago, I made a really stupid mistake.” Frost covered her eyes, and her words were colder than the artic. “You told me not to fall for you. You told me you’d never offer me anything. For some idiotic reason, I did it anyway.”
What?
“My heart betrayed me and did whatever it wanted. I found myself unable to think about anyone but you, my best friend in the entire world. So, I made a stupid decision without thinking. I went by that restaurant and picked up brunch for the both of us. Then I headed to your door, ready to tell you exactly how I felt.”
Where was this going? Did she ever make it to my door? Why don’t I remember any of this? How did I not notice the way she felt about me? I would have said something if I knew.
“When I asked if you had slept with anyone since we met, you said you hadn’t. I took that as a declaration of exclusivity. I thought it meant you wanted to be with me and only me—even if you didn’t realize it. But when I knocked on your door, you didn’t answer it. Instead, I came face-to-face with one of your bimbos. She wore one of your t-shirts with nothing underneath and her hair was a mess. And she looked tired and satisfied.” Sadness filled her eyes at the memory. “And when I asked you about it, you lied. That’s why I’ll never be with you, Ash. I don’t date liars.”
Now everything was making sense. My lips stretched into a smile when I realized Alessandra felt the same way I did. I could have had her long ago if I just figured out what I wanted. Now I understood why she pushed me away and dated that loser.
“Why the hell are you smiling?” she snapped.
“Because I’m happy.”
“That I’m miserable?” Alessandra asked incredulously. “That’s an all-time low, even for you.”
“No, not at all.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“I never slept with that girl.”
“Oh really?” Condescension was in her voice.
“Yes, really. Sawyer went out with this girl and her sister came along. I had no interest in her and just wanted to leave. But since she was all alone and drunk, I took her back to my place and let her crash on my couch. I gave her those clothes so she had something to sleep in. The next morning, she left. Nothing happened.” My grin was even wider now. If only I’d known this a long time ago. “The only woman I’ve been with is you. There’s been no one else since I met you at that coffee shop—on scouts honor.”
She didn’t seem convinced. She was still suspicious.
“I’m not lying, Alessandra. I can track down that girl and prove it to you if necessary.” I leaned over the table and felt my arms shake in excitement.
She started to loosen up. “Really?”
“I promise.”
Alessandra averted her gaze. “Oh…what a misunderstanding.”
“Yeah…” Honestly, I didn’t regret it that much. I needed to lose her to understand I wanted her. “So, you’ll give me a chance? Because I can be charming and sensitive. I can take you out to dinner and open doors for you. I can…be whatever you want me to be.”
She kept her look guarded. “What does that mean, exactly?”
“I want to be more than just a fuck buddy to you. I don’t want you to see anyone else. And I don’t want to see anyone else either.”
“So, you want to be my boyfriend?” Hope was in her voice.
“Well, I don’t know about that…” Commitment still terrified me. I didn’t like labels. Forced to remain in one spot indefinitely was my biggest nightmare. I needed freedom to roam around and do other things. Perhaps it was a side effect from my time in the military.
Disappointment flashed across her face. “You don’t know? Then what do you want, exactly?”
“You.” That was the simplest answer. “I miss you. I want you.”
“But…you know I