Chapter 6

Jayce

I park the truck and risk her wrath as I reach over to push the strands of strawberry blonde waves from her eyes. “Shay, you can stop pretending to sleep. We’re stopping for breakfast.”

Prove to her she’s ours.

I ignore my bull’s insistence. If she needs proof, I’ll give it to her, but not today. She’s not ready.

Shay sits up with a fire in her eyes. “I wasn’t pretending.”

I chuckle.

“Are you calling me a liar?”

“No, I’m calling you a faker. There’s a difference.”

“What makes you so sure I wasn’t sleeping?”

“Your breathing never settled.”

She huffs before climbing out of the truck.

I close my eyes and throw my head against the headrest. I’ve wanted many women in my lifetime, but I’ve never needed one until her.

After the many weeks—now months of failing in my pursuit of her—I’m done.

Stepping out of the truck with determination in my stride, I hurry to catch up to her. Just as she reaches for the entrance door to McDonalds, I grab her by the wrist and pull her away from the door.

Gently, but firmly, I press her against the rough brick wall.

“Shay.” I whisper. My voice tinged with urgency.

She’s looking all around with frustration written across her face.

“Look at me,” I implore.

Her gaze flickers my way briefly before she looks away again with a guarded expression. “We don’t have time for this, Jayce.” She attempts to sidestep out of my hold.

I’m not about to let her evade me any longer. Carefully, I cup her chin, coaxing her to meet my gaze.

“Please,” I plead softly.

Her eyes hold mine. A tear threatens to spill.

“You’re ours. I know you feel it. It doesn’t matter how long or how far you run. We’ll catch you.”

She opens her mouth to object. I place my finger over her lips before she can get it out. “Get to know me, before you reject me.”

“But…”

“No buts, Shay. If you don’t like me once you know who I am, then you can try to push me away. It still probably won’t work, but you can try.”

“You’re infuriating.” Her words say one thing, while her eyes tell another story. She wants me but fights those feelings like they’re her enemy.

I smile and wink. “I know.”

“We’ve got breakfast. Are you two ready?” Anjal interrupts. I turn and give him a look that says I’ll get him for this.

Shay takes advantage of the moment to push past me. She opens the back door. Yeah, I heard the deal she made with Priscilla to rotate sitting with me.

As she moves to settle into the back seat, I swiftly stop her plan. I scoop her up effortlessly and toss her over my shoulder. I resist the urge to slap her ass as I carry her around to the front passenger side. She weighs nothing more than a feather.

She pounds her fist against my shoulder blade, demanding I put her down. My smile grows.

I’m careful to ensure her comfort.

With my free hand, I open her door, settle her into the passenger seat, and slide the seatbelt across her lap.

“I meant it when I said you could run, but that I would catch you every time.”

“Is this your way of getting me to like you?” Despite her anger, there’s a touch of amusement in her tone.

I suspect she also doesn’t want someone who gives into her every whim. We’re going to have a lifetime of fun.