“I didn’t think. He said it and I just flipped out and the next thing I knew we were rol ing around on the floor. Indy yel ed at me to knee him in the nuts, I did, Tex grabbed me and we took off. The whole thing lasted less than ten minutes.” He shook his head.
“I don’t know whether to kiss you or shake some sense into you.”
I knew which one I would pick but I was too angry to make the suggestion.
I backed away and rounded the coffee table, retrieved my shoes and turned to Eddie.
“I want to go home,” I said.
“You aren’t goin’ home. We’re not done talkin’.” I turned and walked toward the kitchen.
We were so done talking.
I nearly made it when he caught my hand, gave it a yank and I whirled around. He twisted my arm around my back and pul ed my body up against his.
“I’m f**kin’ sick and tired of watching you walk away from me,” he growled.
My heart stopped.
This would probably be part of that hot-blooded thing Blanca was talking about.
“Eddie…”
He didn’t let me start.
“You’ve dated Mexican-Americans before, people say shit. It’s their problem, you ignore it.”
“Eddie…” I tried again.
He continued. “I already told you that you were my business but it’s pretty f**kin’ clear you didn’t understand.
I’ve been tryin’ to get your attention for months but you’re so busy and exhausted and whatever the hel else you are, it hasn’t worked. So I’l say, straight out, so there’s no confusion. I want to spend time with you, I want to get to know you and I want to sleep with you and it doesn’t have to be in that order.”
I didn’t even try to speak. I couldn’t. His words robbed me of the ability of speech.
“While that’s happenin’ and however long it lasts, you’re my business and I’l explain that too. I keep you safe and I keep your Mom safe, however that has to come about. And no one hustles you, not even your f**kin’ father, or they answer to me.”
I was not only speechless, my bel y was beginning to feel funny and that strange pleasant feeling was back.
“I know you have a problem with that, you’ve made it loud and clear, but I don’t give a f**k. I’m gonna keep coming at you until I wear you down. Do you understand me?” He paused and glared at me and I realized he expected an answer.
Since I was incapable of a verbal response, I just nodded.
“Good. Now, because it’s likely you not only have Slick after you but also Louie and Vince, you’ve got two choices: either I take you home and I stay there with you or I make a cal and plant someone at your apartment building and you sleep here with me.”
“Trixie’s at home, there’s nowhere for you to sleep,” I said.
“I sleep with you.”
Dear Lord.
“I’l sleep here,” I decided.
“I sleep with you here too.”
Eek!
“I’l sleep on the couch,” I told him.