“I don’t want you.”
He smiles and leans in close to my ear.
“You know I don’t believe that now, love,” he whispers.
Pulling back, he catches my gaze.
“Bastian and I have a complicated friendship. I’ve done some stupid shit during it, but I’ve never threatened my relationship with him.”
He traces his knuckles down my cheek and lifts my chin.
“I can’t stay away from you; you’re like a goddamn magnet. So, I won’t.”
“I need to go win my man back,” I protest, nearly choking on the words. “If you’ll excuse me.”
As I start to step back, he snatches my arm.
“Not so fast, little warrior. Let me make it up to you. You didn’t deserve any of that.”
I scoff, pulling my arm out of his grip and glaring at him.
“Not your brightest idea.”
“As friends,” he offers.
My head snaps up, and I meet Liam’s eyes again. I know his intentions with me, so this “friends” bullshit isn’t selling.
My move here will be critical to the mission. The smart move would be to decline. Rudely, of course. Hope to get on Collins’ good side again and allow Liam to continue to butt in to get my attention, solidifying the wedge between them.
Or accept, build a “friendship” with Liam while still trying to maintain a relationship with Collins, and risk the trust he already doesn’t have in me.
Fuck me.
“Alright, officer. I’ll bite. Only as friends,” I reiterate.
“Scout’s honor,” Liam says, holding up three fingers.
I hum and roll my eyes. He promised Collins he’d behave today, and here we are.
“You just don’t know when to give up, do you?” I ask.
Liam watches me for a moment, then shrugs. “I’m a simple man and one who knows exactly what he wants. So, is that a yes or no?”
“You so much as touch me, and I’ll rip your dick off.”
Liam instinctively covers his cock and shudders. I wink and walk past him. He chuckles and watches me put distance between us.
“Be outside your apartment building tomorrow at eight. Don’t be late!” He yells.
Throwing my middle finger up in response, I pick up my pace and book it to my car. His distant laughter trails after me.
When I get out of the city limits, a familiar name flashes on the touchscreen on my dash. I press accept, welcoming the distraction.
“Did you call to tell me dirty things in Spanish, Tanner?”
A low chuckle sounds throughout the car.
“Not this time. Got some men your dad has been looking for coming to a fight tonight.”