Summer:

He wasn't answering me, and I was starting to get frustrated. I sat up straighter and crossed my arms over my chest. Narrowing my eyes on his. He almost looked sad for a moment.

"Broc?" I ask firmly. I want him to know and I'm not going to play this game. I know how this game ends.

He sighs, "Look, I get what you want..." He pulls my arms away from my chest, running his fingers slowly down my arms until he reaches my hands. I love the way he stops briefly over the artwork on my fingers and arms, admiring them for a moment. "...It's just not really my thing."

I pull my hands away. I can see it hurts him but he tries to hide it.

"What's not your thing? Getting to know a person before you take them to bed? Or am I not good enough for you..." I didn't think before I said it. But I really didn't care. I couldn't believe this guy. Was I just another bedroom slut to him.

He reached up to touch my face but I swatted his hand away. His eye's grew dark as he sat up in frustration. Although I wasn't really scared of him, right now, he was making me nervous. I was seeing the other side of him. I was turned on and angry at the same time.

"Summer, you are better than 'good enough' for me. Too good in fact..." He grabs his elastic from the bed and stands up facing me. "...and yes, I usually prefer to fulfill all the desires of any woman who comes into my home, but No one but Eres lays in my bed." He crosses his arms over his chest as I try to understand what he just said. He bent down, grabbing my chin with his thumb and finger, forcing my eyes to his. I want to push his hand away but I can't deny my body is craving his dominance over me. He places sweet kisses on my cheeks, then one on my lips before he pushes my head to the side to reach my ear, he whispers, "Know this Summer, you deserve someone way better than I."

He stood up, glaring down at me. After the initial shock of what he said wore off, I actually felt bad for him. I could tell he was guarded, but I can still see the sadness behind his eyes. He wasn't hiding it from me.

"Maybe I should go..." Broc gritted out. Just as he was about to leave, I grabbed his arm again. My heart hurt for him, part of me wanted to give in to the moment. I knew it wouldn't end well though. I couldn't deal with another heartache.

"Listen..." I took a deep breath in releasing it slowly. "You don't have to leave like this." He looked down at me confused. I plastered on a big smile, trying to mask the wave of emotions coming over me. Disappointment, confusion, anger, sadness.

I wink at him, "I mean, you look crazy right now. At least let me do your hair before you go." I pull him down so he's forced to sit on the floor in front of me. Then I hand him the remote for the TV and hop out of bed to let in Eres. He comes running in and lays down next to Broc on the floor while I run to grab a brush. Not only did I want just a little more time with him, but part of me knew he didn't really want to leave either.

Broc:

Sitting there between summer's beautiful legs while she played in my hair, my dog sitting next to me, I smile to myself.

Fuck. What was I doing?

I try to distract myself by looking at all the books on her shelves. She has so many, I wonder if she's actually read them all. Interesting row of weapon books. Everything from weapons through out history to Weapons around the world and weapons in space. Her comic book collection looks pretty epic too. I notice a whole row of journals. She must love to write. She's got a few shelves full of art supplies. She must paint, or draw. Another shelf looks like it's all cook books. Wow, This woman is something else.

"So, who usually works with your hair?" Her little voice breaks my silent thoughts running through my mind. I chuckle. This woman and my hair.

"His name is Greg and he will be very angry that I let some else play in my hair, so don't blame me if he comes after you." She laughs which makes me laugh too. It's only then that I realize it's been too long I've heard it.

"Oh my god, that's hilarious! I hope he comes for me. I'd like to meet him..." She finally calms her giggles before hoping off the bed standing in front of me with a huge look of accomplishment. "OK, Done!" She bends down in front of me, looking intently at my hair that she's now piled on top of my head. Fuck she's so cute when she's concentrating. I have to fight myself to keep from pulling her into my lap.

"Good! So now we can get you to sleep." This sudden urge to make sure she's taken care of and safe in bed, isn't going away. She frowns at me.

"Excuse me mister, but I think I'm old enough to know when I'm sleepy." Sleepy? She's so cute. She says this just before turning around and looking at the time. It's 1:30 am. She let's out a defeated sigh and climbs into bed.

Smiling I lay down next to her. She gets comfy under the covers as I turn towards her. The smile on her face is so pretty I can't help but brush her cheek with the back of my hand. She crinkles her nose and swats at my hand again, but I ignore her.

"I'm going to get us some water, want anything else?" she let's out a yawn, and shakes her head, "Words Summer."

Her eyes go wide with how firm I was with her, "I'm sorry, um..." listen to me fumbling my words like an idiot.

She giggles, "No Broc, I don't want anything else." I smile at her as I turn off the TV and place a kiss on her forehead, just before I turn down the light and walk out.

I stand in the hallway for a moment. What am I thinking? I can't let this precious woman into my crazy life. Walking down the darkened hallway into the kitchen I turn on the lights I begin to notice some of the pictures on the wall. I notice pictures of Summer with friends and perhaps family? A few pictures stood out to me though. The one of her and her brother. I wonder how much she knows about where the extra funds from her business come from. Another looks like a family photo. It's older, Summer must be 4? 5? I immediately recognize the woman to be her mom. They look exactly alike. They smile the same, but the man. He looks familiar. My tired hazy brain can't seem to pull the memory from my mind at the moment. I push it aside for later as I find some cups and begin to fill them with water.

Sighing I run a hand down my face and lean against the counter staring at the two glasses of water in front of me. There's really no harm in getting to know her, right?

Still contemplating leaving the water on her nightstand while I leave, I see Sean round the corner. He looked like he had a great time. He claps me on the back, with a big grin. I give him a nod with a half smile grabbing the waters trying to make a quick escape.

"Hey man, how's she doing?" I can tell by his voice he truly cares for her. She's lucky to have Sean and Brittany as friends.

"About to pass out." I smirk. I watch him expertly make his way around the kitchen, grabbing water and a few snacks. I look down at my water and suddenly feel inadequate.

"Here, take these." He grabs a bag of Veggie crisps off the top of the fridge and tosses it on the counter. "She's always snacking on them."

I grab the bag, "Thanks." I mutter as I begin to walk into the bedroom.

When I open the door, I couldn't help but grin at what I see. My precious puppy laying in bed snuggled up close to Summer. He looks so large laying next to her like that. Her hand on his head, both completely asleep. I quietly make my way to her bed, placing the water cups and chips on her nightstand. Eres begins to stir as I try to calm her. I don't want to disturb Summer. I walk around the other side, carefully lifting the covers, and settling down behind her.

She stirs slightly as I drape my arm around her middle trying to pull her in close to me.

"What took you so long?" she mutters under her breath as she pulls me in closer to her.

"Shush Bubby... go back to sleep." There's that name again. I watch her smile as she quickly drifts back to sleep.

Laying there, watching my dog and her completely at peace, sleeping so soundly, I think to myself, this is a sight I could watch every night.

I grab my phone from my pocket, realizing I haven't looked at it all night, and see 4 voicemails from my father. Looks like it's going to be a long day tomorrow. Scrolling through the voicemails I hear my father growing increasingly angry about a rival gang family gaining traction in our area. My area. Damn these guys are relentless. I thought I wouldn't have to take violent measures but it looks like it has come to that. I look back on the sight that I wish I could keep but these voicemails are my reality. If I don't get home soon and take care of this, my father will have my head.

I sneak out of bed, grabbing one of the many journals off Summer's desk. I notice the sketch book and curiosity got the best of me. I lift it open to see dozens of sketches of weapons. I furrow my brow. Weapons? I put the thought to the back of my mind, again, to hazey to figure it all out now. I write a small note, leaving it next to the snacks and water cups. I take a risk kissing her forehead as I try to move Eres off the bed. He doesn't want to leave but we must. I take one last look at the beauty sleeping in the giant bed alone and sigh. Walking out of that room, closing the door behind me, I make a beeline to the door. I pause a moment at the front door, "Summer will hate me for this was" the last thought I had as I walked out to my car.