Page 465 of Summer Heat
That’s another thing we don’t talk about. We don’t talk about what he does late at night. I was quiet whenever Tyler would leave to go do something early in the mornings or skip school because he had to do something for “work.”
But we aren’t children anymore, and what Daniel’s involved with isn’t a high school game.
“Is this stuff for … back home?” I’m careful with my words as he grabs his keys off the kitchen counter. The jangling is the only sound in the room.
Well, and the ever-present clicking of the clock.
“Back home? As in, the family business?”
My gaze is on the tile in the kitchen. Soft gray with dark gray grout. It’s nothing special, but I can’t bring myself to look at Daniel and meet his gaze that’s obviously on me, so I keep my eyes right where they are.
He works for his brother Carter. Dealing drugs and God knows what else.
He’ll leave one day. Soon. He keeps mentioning it. The one question I ask myself every time he leaves is simple. Do I stay? Or do I go with him?
“Yeah, that’s what I was asking.”
“You know better than that, Addison,” Daniel reprimands me and that’s what gets me to look at him.
“Better than to be careful about who and what I involve myself with?” My tone dares him to question that logic.
“You already made your choice, didn’t you?” The way he speaks to me simultaneously strikes a bit of fear in my heart and heats my blood with lust.
“There are lots of choices, Daniel.” I know in my mind he’s right. I’ve already decided I’d go with him. I don’t want to be alone again and I crave the feeling of family and acceptance I once had with the Cross brothers. But that was then, and this is now. I don’t know what it would be like to face them knowing I’m now with Daniel. It feels like a betrayal of the worst kind.
“Only one when it comes to me. Don’t forget that you’re the one who started this. You’re the one who came back to the bar. You’re the one who came to my house after you ended it. I don’t like being played with.”
“Funny, because you sure do like being the one doing the playing.”
My comment rewards me with a charming smirk on his lips.
“With you?” he questions as he stalks toward me and grips my chin between his fingers. “Always.”
My eyes close as he plants a kiss on my lips. Mine mold to his and my body melts. It’s over too soon and I find myself sitting up a little taller to prolong it just slightly.
Daniel keeps his grip on me and a crease forms on his forehead as he looks down at me with a question in his eyes.
“Are you thinking of leaving me?” he finally asks and I reach up to take his hand in mine.
“No,” I tell him, practically rolling my eyes and getting more comfortable in the corner of my sofa.
“Good,” he says although he still eyes me curiously.
“If I hadn’t come to your place, would you have let me leave you?” I don’t know why I feel so compelled to ask in this moment. Maybe I already know the truth and I just want to see if he’ll tell me or not.
His dark eyes seem to get darker, although his voice stays even as he answers me, “I would have tried.”
I chew the inside of my cheek and look away at his response.
“Why does that disappoint you?”
“Can’t you feel it?” I barely whisper the words. He makes me feel weak and foolish. But admitting there’s something undeniable that pulls you to someone like it does no one else isn’t weak at all. It takes every bit of strength in me.
Daniel’s eyes leave mine for a moment and I begin to doubt myself. I can barely swallow until he says, “I said I would try. I didn’t say I was capable.”
My eyes close and I wish I could will all of this overwhelming emotion away. But that’s what Daniel’s always done to me. Overwhelmed me.
“I’ll keep you safe. Always.”
