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

the movies before?” he asks, almost at a loss for words. “Haven’t you ever gone with your friends?”

“Friend, singular, and trust me, it wasn’t from her lack of trying,” I say, fiddling with my fingers. “I just couldn’t.” I look now to the side, suddenly unable to face him. I hear Jaxon chuckle and look back to see what he finds funny.

Smiling, he looks up at me. “Eating at a pizzeria, huh?” He leans back and places his hands behind his head, obviously proud of himself. “I guess you can cross that one off your list now.” He leans forward and takes something out of his back pocket. A pen. He offers it to me, and I shake my head and chuckle. Humoring him, I cross it off. If only he knew how many firsts he’s already given me.

“Yeah, I would’ve mentioned it, but I didn’t want to gas your head up too much and have it block the exit.” I shrug, “I want to be able to return to my humble abode tonight.”

He lifts his chin. “And where exactly is that?”

More questions.

He leans even closer, his eyes boring into me. Jaxon doesn’t wait for my answer before he asks another one, in a much more somber tone than before, “Why’d you leave?”

I’m confused because the last two encounters ended with him being the first to walk away, probably because I gave him no other choice.

“Why did I leave where?” I look at him, trying to read the expression on his face.

He looks as though he’s trying his hardest to remain collected.

“Home.”

Eleven

Jaxon

Just when I think I may have struck oil, it seems I struck a nerve instead.

C’mon Nyx, give me something.

“It’s actually getting late.” Cameron looks at her phone. “I should be heading back.” Damn it. It’s only seven-thirty, but I’m not gonna argue with her. No amount of time would be enough for me anyway, and I made more progress than I thought I would.

When she first laughed for my sake, I almost saw the real her. The smile she tries so hard to hide captivates me. I’m happy that it’s getting easier for her to let her guard down around me, but my inner caveman doesn’t want anyone else to see her this way, to see her this raw.

I stand with Cameron and try to think of the best and fastest way to see her again because, like a twinkling star in the night, she’s gone as fast as she comes.

I walk over to Mario and pay the tab, bidding him farewell. Walking outside into the much cooler night, I watch as she shifts on her feet. She’s unsure of what to do next. Always the over-achiever, I test the waters.

“Whaddya say we run into each other on purpose next time?” I take out my iPhone and punch in the passcode. I hand it to her, hoping she’ll add her number.

Smiling sheepishly at me, she takes hers out of the pocket and does the same. “As long as you leave the raccoon at home.”

I save my number and hand back her phone. “I can’t make any promises.” Looking up to see her grinning, I take my phone back from her, our fingers barely brushing at the exchange. There it is, that feeling in my gut again, like I’ve just been shocked.

“I’m this way,” she points behind her. The question of where she’s going is bubbling on my tongue, but I stay quiet. Cameron steps back. “Thanks for the garden today and the pizza.”

“You brought yourself to the garden,” I tell her, so as not to take away from her accomplishment, but then I turn on the charm and shrug. “I was just a bonus.”

There’s her smile again. A smile that, if somebody told me I might wake up tomorrow to nothing but darkness, I would spend the entire night memorizing every detail so the curve of her lips would be the only remaining memory embedded in my mind.

I decide not to ask her where she’s staying. I want to leave her on a high note, and the last time I questioned her residence of choice, it ended with me returning home with my tail between my legs and my hand around my cock in the bathroom.

Instead, I try to seal the deal for the near future.

“Meet me by the beach on Sunday.” I pause to think of the best time to take her to the one place I couldn’t believe wasn’t on her list. “Meet me there at seven, after I’m done with my shift for the night.” I’m not too proud to beg at this point.

She thinks about it for a second. “Yeah, sure. I can do that.”

I don’t know a fraction of what this girl has been through yet, but I can already tell she’s the bravest person I’ve ever met. That’s why I didn’t pry when she refused to let me hear her voice. I want to earn her trust, not take it. So if I have to bide my time, that’s fine.

“Get home safe, Nyx.” I squeeze her hand gently as a farewell and turn to head back home. I know better than to try and give her a hug or kiss on the cheek. With a girl like Cameron, you never assume anything is on the table.

The first time my lips touch her body, I want to wholeheartedly know that she wants it. Because once she gives me free rein, God himself wouldn’t be able to keep me from exploring every inch of her.

Around thirty minutes later, I’m walking back through the parking lot of the Garden to my bike, thankfully exactly where I left it. It still surprises me that the risk of someone stealing your property is much lower when you’re no longer living on the street.

I bought my Harley a year ago. It’s not the fanciest or newest model, but I’m still proud of myself. I saved up a year’s worth of paychecks from