16. Simon
Simon
“Why are you all dressed up?” I ask June even though I know exactly why. Well, the numerous reasons.
One—it’s the first night she’s seen her best friend Cora in far too long.
Two—she’s trying to make anyone with eyes fucking jealous or horny.
I’m sure there are more but my brain cannot comprehend words when she looks this fucking good. And after Magnus made a joke about us three running away together, I can’t get the possibility of actually being with her out of my mind.
It’s impossible, so fucking unlikely, but still, my heart has beat a little bit harder from the second he brought it up.
Magnus has always been the most open-minded in June's life.
He's the one who insisted she be brought into our dangerous criminal world, and he was the first to advocate that she could handle it.
He's also been the only one who holds more than a two-second conversation with me and treats me with some common decency.
I wouldn't go so far as to say we're friends, but it's definitely a step up from enemies.
And with him on my side, it gives me a slightly better hand than I was playing.
If only I could get him to tell me whatever secret it is that they’re hiding from her, then maybe I would finally have the leverage I need to convince her she’s better off with me.
“If you forgot about going out with Cora, I am going to unalive you.” June stares right at me.
I can’t help but chuckle. “You’re going to do what, love?”
She makes a fake gun with her hand and bends her thumb, insinuating a shooting motion.
“You do realize that’s not how guns work, right?” I reach for her, pulling her toward me and gripping her hand. I fold her fingers back into the faux gun position. “These two, that’s where the trigger would be, not here.” I wiggle her thumb.
June rolls her eyes and sighs. “It doesn’t have to be anatomically correct, Simon. You knew it was a gun, I knew it was a gun.” She puts the fake thing to my chest and pulls the wrong trigger. “And there, you’re dead.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time you tried to shove something into my heart,” I tell her. The scar lingering just below the surface of my black button-down shirt.
"And it probably won't be the last." She winks at me, and I swear to Christ it's like my whole world is set on fire with just that simple blink of an eye.
I fucking hate this effect she has on me when there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it.
Oh, what I would give to graze my fingers up under the base of her head and pull her all the way to me.
I'd savor the closeness of her skin, the scent of her like it was the only thing that could keep me alive.
I'd melt my lips onto hers and pray that I could restrain myself from not taking her right here and now.
In another world, maybe, but not this one. At least, not today.
So instead, I say a silent prayer that my cock stops pulsing in my black pants and takes a fucking nap.
June stares up at me, that fiery gaze melting a hole through my fucking soul. “What are you thinking about?”
I inhale and consider telling her all the terrible things I’d love to do to her, but instead, I exhale and say, “You’ll find out eventually.” Because that’s all I can really do. Hope that there’s a chance in hell this will happen.
And even if it doesn’t, I still have this. I still have us. Just not exactly how I’d prefer. But it’s better than nothing.
“Simon Beckett, such a tease.” She shoves my shoulder and walks to the door. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”
“Bye, Alec," June calls out to the driver who she keeps insisting on being on a first-name basis with.
“Stay behind me,” I tell her as I help her out of the blacked-out SUV. I nod a farewell to Alec and scan the vicinity as he drives away.
“Simon…” June tries to go around me but I don’t allow it.
I stand firmly in place and peer down at her.
“My rules or we go home now. Do you hear me?” Fuck I hate being stern with her, but does she still not realize her safety is my primary concern?
After almost losing her, there’s no way I’d let that happen again, especially after my feelings have evolved into what they are today.
Back then it was a mild obsession, now I’m fully fucking consumed by her.
I eat, sleep, and breathe June and would go full on Romeo and Juliet if something happened to her.
I knew she was special, but it wasn’t until I spent six solid months at her side that I started to unravel pieces of her that she doesn’t share with anyone else.
She doesn’t even share them with me, not on purpose.
But that’s the benefit of spending so much time with someone, eventually your walls come down whether you realize it or not.
You start to see the version of them that’s unfiltered and raw.
You get a sneak peek at who they are without the lens of the public eye.
Hell, I’d go so far as to say I know more about her than her own boyfriends do.
Her shoe size, her to-go order at every fucking restaurant in town, the side of the bed she prefers to sleep on.
I might not know what she prefers in bed, but I’m a quick study and willing to do anything to please her.
And that’s why when Magnus mentioned the three of us, I didn’t hesitate to immediately jump on board.
Do I prefer to keep her to myself? Yes, absolutely.
But what fucking idiot wouldn’t. I’d be a fool to think that I would be enough for her though, and I would never try to trap her in a box that she didn’t want to be in.
The shackles they try to keep on her are proof that she isn’t satisfied with their current situation.
“I hear you,” she huffs and adjusts her shirt to expose more of her chest.
I tug the sides of her leather jacket to cover her.
June narrows her gaze. “Seriously?”
“It’s a distraction, love,” I tell her, because it’s the fucking truth.
“Aren’t you worried about snipers or something?”
“What?”
She motions to the buildings behind us. “I don’t know. You act like I’m going to be assassinated.”
I laugh. “You’re a mafia queen, not the fucking president.”
“Then let’s go. Cora text me five minutes ago that she’s already here. Get the stick out of your ass and come on.” June pushes me but I don’t move.
“Aw, that was cute. Why don’t you try again?” I know I’m supposed to be playing the role of bodyguard, but man is it fun to fuck with her.
“Don’t make me get out my gun.” June tilts her head and raises her brows.
My face drops. “You did not fucking bring a gun.” I start to pat her down, but she stops me.
“Here…” She reaches into her coat pocket and pulls out her fake finger gun.
She draws back her middle and index fingers.
“Pow.” Then she shakes her head. “No, that doesn’t feel right, I’m sticking with the thumb, sorry.
“Bang.” She brings her hand to her chin.
“Which do you prefer, pow or bang? I could go for a pew pew. What do you think?”
“I think…you have lost your mind.”
“Yeah.” She shoves me again. “Because you’re making me stand out here on the sidewalk all fucking day.” June cranes her head around me. “Like twelve people have gone in while we were out here.”
“Promise me you won’t sneak off.”
“That was one time, Simon.” She sighs dramatically.
I fold my arms over my chest. “Promise me or we aren’t going in.”
She rolls her eyes for what must be the fiftieth time today. How they haven’t gotten lost in her head yet, I’ll never know. “Fine, promise.”
“Good,” I grin. “Have a wonderful time. If you need me, just say my name. I won’t take my eyes off of you.
” Not even if I wanted to. I take her hand and turn around, holding her close to my backside.
Her warmth flows through me, and I wish with all my might that when we step into this bar we would also be stepping into an alternate universe where we’re here together—like really together.
I’d still do everything in my power to protect her, but at least I’d be able to kiss her before she ran off with her best friend.
“Simon,” she whispers once we’re inside.
I turn to her immediately and evaluate the potential threat. “Yes, love?”
“Do you want to get a drink with us?”
My heart lurches forward, and for a second there I think I’m about to lose all sense of fucking gravity. How is it possible she does so much by doing so little?
I ache to reach out and touch her cheek, but I don’t. I’m her bodyguard, not her boyfriend. I spot her blonde friend across the way and focus back on the stunning vixen in front of me. “Maybe after I’ve done my scan of the place. Okay?”
She bobs her head, and if I didn't know better, I'd say there was a hint of disappointment on her features. But I do know better and the only reason she asked was because she pities me for having to stand here all night watching over her.
If only she knew there’s no place I’d rather be. Other than by her side, obviously.
I nod toward Cora. “Your bestie is that way.”
June reaches toward me, surprising me when she latches onto my forearm. She gives it a squeeze before she turns and walks toward Cora, the spot she touched burning even when she’s no longer near.
I make quick but thorough work of making my way through the bar and scanning the place for anything unusual while maintaining my sights on June.
I manage to check the entire place out and watch her the whole time, something I've grown to be pretty fucking good at.
I wasn't always the best at this kind of gig, but I've never had a person I've been more concerned with keeping safe.
Nothing out of the ordinary sets off my Simon-senses so I go to the bar, the bartender immediately approaching me.
“What can I get for you?” the guy asks me.
“Those two,” I point to Cora and June. “Whatever they order is on me.”
He glances over at them and nods. “Sure thing.”