Page 38 of West (The Moral Compass 1)
“Oops, she’s getting snarky with me now. I better explain myself,” he says, still smirking. “Well, Sutton, you told me earlier there was no ‘us’, but see here, see now?” He is pointing between us and around the bed. “There clearly is, and until you admit it, the only way I can kiss you is like a child or an old lady, and I certainly can’t fuck you. Not until you admit there is an ‘us’.”
He’s still smiling, and I know he’s right, but I can’t give in like that. Can I?
“Hmmm, so if I say there is an us, you will give me what I need?” I can feel my cheeks flushing, but I’m so turned on, I need him to finish what he started.
“I’m not that stupid, Sutton. You would have to mean it, too. Look, I like you, and I like us, and I want to give it a shot and see where it goes. We have had a really bumpy start, but when I was with you in the hospital, something shifted in me. I’m not going to lie to you now, Sutton, because I want you to know the truth about me before you commit yourself to anything. I’m not a nice man, normally. I have a nice man exterior, and I keep my family close, but apart from that, I don’t have many friends. You weren’t far off the mark when you asked if I was a mercenary. I can’t tell you any more than that unless there is an us. I’m not blackmailing you either, but I want you and me together.”
He spoke sternly, and his face had no laughter in it at all. Fuck he was serious. What the hell was I mixed up in?
“Oh, okay, so if I say no to an us, I’m on my own and dealing with this shit solo?” I questioned.
“No, Sutton. You’re in too much danger for me to leave you on your own, but as far as anything else is concerned, it’s a no unless there is an us. I know it’s early, but I know how I feel and, truthfully, it scares the shit out of me, but I can’t not tell you this.” Again, sternness but a little tiny glimmer of warmth.
I put my head in my hands. “I need to think for a minute. On my own, West. Tonight has been a lot to take in. I’m going to the guest room, and I’ll come to find you when I know what I want.”
I look up at his beautiful, deep eyes, and he smiles and leaves the room. He returns a few seconds later with my crutches. He’s becoming the one person who knows what I need before I do. I need to think, and being on the bed where we had sex a night or so ago is clouding my judgement. When I came here this morning, I didn’t want anything else to do with him, but things have changed.
Lying on my bed in the guest room, all I can think of is him. It’s all I can ever think of since the moment I met him. He’s in my mind all of the time. Even with all the revelations I’ve had today, it’s still him there at the forefront.
What do I have to lose if I say yes? What do I have to lose if I say no? The columns in my head jumble up, and I know I’m just wasting more time. I knew all along what my answer would be, but it was kind of him to give me the time to be sure.
But am I going to regret it in the long run?
Chapter 30
West
Iheartheclankingof the crutches and, to be honest, I was surprised. I thought it would be a longer process than the hour she took. Even her showers take two hours. I turn to look at her and drink in the beautiful woman coming towards me. I can’t wait till those damn metal things are in the trash and I can watch her sway her hips like she did the first morning I met her.
“Do you want a warm drink?” I ask. “I’m just making a tea, and then I’m going to bed.”
“No, thank you. I better get going,” she whispers.
I swing my head around. Surely she hadn’t decided on leaving and not giving us a chance. Then her face broke out into the most beautiful smile ever.
“So would that be a ‘let’s give it a go’ smile on your face?” I ask, walking towards where she’s stopped outside the kitchen area. I get so close to her, but I can’t touch her yet. I look right into those eyes, and she nods.
Later, a banging on my door wakes me from a deep, peaceful sleep. It’s been years since I’ve slept so well. I move carefully, not wanting to move Sutton who, for some reason, is still flat out and not hearing the banging. I grab a pair of boxers from my drawer and pull them on as I’m walking down the hall. I look through the security hole and see North.
Fuck, what time is it?
I release all the locks and pull open the door to see him standing there laden down with folders and files and with a shit-eating grin plastered across his face.
“Good to see you this wonderful morning, Brother,” he says as he walks in and slaps me hard on my bare back.
“What time is it? Am I late for our meeting?” I ask whilst trying not to yawn.
Hell, I slept well and could quite easily slip back between those sheets with Sutton’s naked body.
“Nah, you didn’t miss it. I’m early, but only by about, ermmmm, two hours. I thought you might want to get started,” he says nonchalantly.
“So, it’s what? Six o’clock?” I wince.
“Shit, were you busy? Oh, West, I’m sorry, Brother. I’ll go and come back at 8:30 as we agreed. I just thought you would want to see what I’ve found as soon as possible.”
He paces as he talks so I know it must be important.
“Does Sutton need to hear this? Or should we leave her to sleep?” I ask because if she needs to hear it, it would be better coming from him. I don’t want to keep being the messenger here. I need her to trust me to fix whatever North has found.
