The Ties That Bind Us: (The Ties Duet Part One) Danda K. (dark academia books to read TXT) 📖

as close to contentment as I’ve ever felt in my entire life—the closest thing to safe.

Nine

Jaxon

Honestly, I thought I screwed up big time when her face paled, and it looked as though she may be sick. I was convinced whatever progress I made with her had vanished. And man, it took so much effort to control my dick when she was pressed up against it. Cameron has quite the ass hidden underneath her oversized t-shirt and leggings.

It took everything in my power not to thrust forward and feel what it would be like to be between those round, toned cheeks. The semi was instant.

I was going to comment on how maybe she wouldn’t fall so much if her boots would just remain tied, but that would add insult to injury. I didn’t want to irritate her again. Although I’m sure it doesn’t take much to do that anyway, I was a bit preoccupied trying to keep my cock from standing at full attention.

I tried thinking of everything from sweet kittens to Morgan’s grandmother in a bikini.

In the end, it was the thought of his bare ass that sent my dick from Hello who’s there? to Let me bury myself in this ditch real quick. Desperate times and all.

Thank God, too, because I’m pretty sure she would have sliced me if she felt just how hard my cock gets for her. My heart was practically jumping out of my chest, my body was desperate for her. It’s been a minute since I’ve been inside anyone, so I could chalk it up to frustration, but deep down, I know that’s not the case.

This girl has invaded my thoughts. And every time I’m with her, she gets deeper under my skin.

The Brooklyn streets are always busy in the late afternoon. There are tons of cars honking, busy sidewalks with families, and bikers riding in between the standstill traffic. I’m used to the hustle and bustle, but she’s noticeably uncomfortable. Cam tenses up any time somebody walks past her, and a big part of me wants to take her hand and comfort her.

Something’s got this girl feeling like the world could swallow her up at any minute.

“So, what brought you to the Botanical Garden today?” I gesture for her to turn the corner and wait for her answer.

“It’s a part of my list,” Cam answers, clutching her backpack. Before finishing her statement, she gets interrupted by some asshole on the phone, practically speed walking right through her. I’m surprised she doesn’t go tumbling to the ground.

I reach for her arms to hold her steady, then turn my death glare towards the asshole.

Still moving, he must notice her because he looks back, slows to a stop, and eyes her up and down...obviously satisfied with what he sees. He lowers his sunglasses, eyes peeking through the top when he says, “Oh shit, baby, you gotta watch where you’re going.”

I step in front of her, the need to defend her driving every impulse inside me.

I step towards him, about ready to rip his face off and feed it to Magnet for a midnight snack. A growl escapes my lips, and, as I suspected, the asshole cowers and scurries off.

That’s when I notice he isn’t the only one.

I turn around, and Cameron’s gone, cutting through people and not even looking back. I jog to catch up to her, nearly tripping over a small poodle sniffing around the concrete. She’s like a ninja, swerving past pedestrians and dodging trees trying to escape.

I finally reach her.

“Hey, where’s the fire? You okay? He didn’t hurt you, did he?” I ask, even more concerned than before. I look Cam over from head to toe to make sure she’s still intact. Her face is so pale it almost shines in the sunlight, yet she seems pissed. I should have punched him in the face.

“I’m fine!” she pauses, taking a frustrated breath, and snapping me out of my haze. “And I’m not your damsel in distress that you need to sweep away on your white horse, okay? I can take care of myself.”

Now I feel like maybe I should punch myself in the face.

I raise my hands in defeat. “Okay, listen, first things first. I don’t think you’re a damsel of any kind.” I gesture to her very irate self. “I’m pretty sure you spend most of your energy fighting back the urge to slap me. And second, I’m sorry, but it’s not like me to stand back and watch someone get hurt and not put on my war paint.”

I try to convince her further because it’s clear she’s not comfortable with men doing anything for her. I’m starting to believe she has a good reason. “I would’ve done the same for anyone in this situation. No matter their sexual orientation or my choice of transportation,” I lie, trying to lighten the mood with a play on her “hero with the white horse” comment.

She looks surprisingly disappointed by my response but recovers quickly.

“Listen, what I did says nothing about who you are. Only about who I am. I know you can hold your own, but it’s okay for someone to fight for you sometimes. You’re worth fighting for.” I look away, hoping I didn’t push her too far. “C’mon, let’s get something to eat. You seem hangry.” I stretch my arm out in front of us for her to move ahead. She looks up to the sky in defeat and begins to walk.

Cameron seems to relax a bit just as we reach the best pizzeria in Brooklyn.

I quickly jog ahead to grab the door for her. Opening it up and taking an elegant bow, I gesture for her to go in. “My lady.” I look up, grinning, and wink at her. And whaddya know? She smiles.

The smell of fresh marinara sauce and garlic fill my nostrils. The aroma in this place always makes my mouth water. I glance at her and see some excitement in her eyes and