CASSIUS

I see it written all over her face. Every single insecurity. We all have them, right? But what's driving me insane about hers is that they seem to stem from some pedestal she put Skylar on. That she's spending our time together thinking about her.

In this very moment, I can't imagine anywhere else I'd rather be than right here, trying to convince Quinn that her body is the closest thing to perfection that someone can get. I know it's futile, that she won't believe anything I say, but you gotta start somewhere.

Her eyes go wide when I unhook her bra and the way she squirms as I gradually slide the straps off her shoulders, down her arms, makes my heart feel heavy. She really has no idea how beautiful she is, even when she looks like she's going to have a heart attack.

Once the scrap of fabric is fully removed, she leans forward and presses against me so I can't see anything. I didn't plan on looking. Not yet anyway. Baby steps seem like the best approach with her, so I just want to start getting her comfortable with the exposure. And I don't just mean that in the literal sense.

Instead of forcing her into view, I shift our bodies so she's lying flat on her back, the side of my face resting on her stomach. It's soft and has just the right amount of fluff to make it comfortable. Once again, it's perfect, but I don't think you're supposed to say that to a woman though, so I keep it to myself.

"I mean it, Quinn. Don't ever compare yourself to her. Or anyone else for that matter."

"It's kind of hard when I know what she looks like."

"You live above a toy shop. Do you know how many fake dicks are down there that would probably put me to shame? You don't see me complaining."

"Did she at least have stupid nipples? A uni-boob?" She grumbles.

I can't help but chuckle before climbing over her. Using my arms to support my weight, I hover above her, just close enough that she doesn't have to worry about my ogling her. Even though I really want to look.

"Stop. It doesn't matter what her body looks like because I have no interest in her. I haven't thought of her like that in a long time."

I peck her nose with my lips and then pull back again to see her still pouting. Literally pouting, with her lips pushed out, sad eyes, the works.

"I like you, Quinn. And the boobs are only as great as the woman they're on. So, I'm guessing yours are fucking beautiful. Guess I'll never find out though." I sigh dramatically at the end and pretend I'm trying to sneak a peek.

She squeals and grabs my face, extending her neck to distract me with a kiss. It's the first time she's ever kissed me first. I know it's just to stop me from staring at her body, but I'll take whatever she's willing to give at this point.

"You like me?" She inquires after settling her head back down on the cushion, her eyes locked on mine, like she's trying to detect any sign of deception. "You like me?"

"I do."

I don't know what just happened. She started to smile but it faded away faster than I could blink, replaced with more nervous energy. It's like she started to accept it, but then changed her mind before she could even fully process what I said. The walls to Fort Quinn might be more impenetrable than I originally thought.

"Can I just put my shirt back on and then we can resume the whole sexing thing?"

"Nope. Not happening anymore." I look her straight in the eyes, so she knows just how serious I am.

She laughs in my face and then scrunches her face up.

"Wait, for real?" Her brows furrow before she starts trying to wriggle from underneath me.

I wish it wasn't for real, but it definitely is. I guess my dick and my brain are on two different pages right now. I apply a little more pressure, the weight of my body keeping her trapped.

"Where do you think you're going?" I ask playfully before growling into her neck, kissing it until she's in a fit of giggles that makes me feel like I'm on top of the world.

"Cash! S-stop! It tic-tickles!" She huffs between breathy laughs.

"Not until you promise you won't run away."

I speak the words into the dip of her neck after burying my face further in. And then the meaning I didn't realize was hidden in my comment slams into me harder than a right cross. I don't want her to push me away right now...or at all. I don't want her to disappear on me again.

But she's a runner. That's what she does. So, when she cries out, "fine, I promise!", I have to tune everything out for a minute and remind myself that she's going to dip out on me at some point. Remind myself that her promise applies to this moment in time only. Nothing else.

She'll vanish. I'll give her space. She'll stay gone. I'll try to reel her back in. Rinse and repeat.

And, hopefully one day, it will stick in her mind that I'm not going anywhere unless she gives me no other choice. I'm setting myself up for potential disaster. But it kind of seems like it's worth it.

I lay back down on my side, keeping my face tucked in her neck, and throw my arm over her chest so she's not exposed. She sidles in a little closer and relaxes into me. Her arm is hooked underneath mine, her hand resting on my bicep as she lightly scratches my arm.

"Why don't you wanna have sex, Cash? Is something wrong with me?"

Her voice is filled with worry, and I can't stand that she's thinking like this. If I thought for a second that she didn't see sex with me as some obstacle to get out of the way, I'd jump all over the opportunity. But that's not the case. Not right now, at least.

She doesn't think she's good enough. She thinks that while I'm fucking her, I'll be thinking of someone else. Having sex right now is only going to complicate that further, not make her feel better about herself.

"There's nothing wrong with you, Quinn."

"Then tell me what the problem is. Do you still love Skylar? Did I do something to make you mad? Is it because the couch is too small? I can get a bathroom door if that's what's bothering you."

I snatch the throw blanket off the armrest, draping it over her before standing up and shrugging back into my shirt. Crouching down in front of the couch, I tilt her face to the side to look at me, ignoring the stinging in my hands from my earlier brawl with the cactus.

"When we sleep together, you're gonna know how amazing you are. There's not gonna be any doubt or insecurity or anything standing in the way of you enjoying it. Because that's what you fucking deserve, Quinn. You understand me?"

She stares into my eyes and doesn't say a word. She doesn't understand me. Not yet. But she will one day. For the first time in a long time, I have a set goal in mind. Something I can work towards. It's not the kind of goal my family has been hounding me about, but it's a goal I want to achieve.

"I'm gonna go clean everything up outside, okay? I gotta go to work afterwards. The spare key is on the counter. See you later?"

Nothing. I sigh and start for the door.

"You can keep the key." She mumbles hoarsely from across the room.

I freeze, processing what I just heard. Debating if I even heard it right. The silver metal shimmers on the counter, taunting me.

"Please, Cash. I'd feel better if you have it on you. Having an extra key floating around all willy nilly just means some random murderer can come into my house and kill me in my sleep and – I just think you should keep it."

Well, shit. I never expected that to happen and I'm trying really hard not to overthink it. But...no, you know what? I'm not going to question it. I snatch the key off its perch and grip it tightly in my palm before shutting the door behind me and locking it.

And then I flick the cactus off because fuck that prickly bitch.