Fight for Love by Jennah Scott

cleared my throat.  
    “I know, and it was the best pizza ever. So I went and picked up some for dinner. Now, are you going to stay in that chair, or are you going to eat with me?” Stacey sat down in one of the folding chairs at the card table she used as a kitchen table.
    I stood and lifted my arms over my head to stretch, keeping an eye on Stacey to see if she’d notice my shirt riding up. In general I wasn’t much of a tease and didn’t care what people thought when it came to how I looked. But I wanted her to notice me.   When her breath caught, making her choke on her pizza, I bit back a laugh.  
    Stacey took another bite, her eyes glued to me. I felt the burn from her stare on my chest. “I’d really like to get out of these clothes, mind if I take my shirt off before I eat?”
    She coughed and shook her head. When the coughing didn’t stop she placed the slice of pizza on the plate in front of her and beat on her chest. This time I didn’t keep back my chuckle, but walked over to her and helped.  
    “Umm, no I don’t mind.” Stacey finally said, but she averted her gaze from me when I sat down and picked up a piece of my own.  
    I ate a few slices of pizza, noting how Stacey tried to inconspicuously watch me. I inched closer so my knee rested against hers, thankfully she didn’t move away. I slid my hand onto her thigh, just above her knee, and paused to see how she’d react. Stacey didn’t flinch or tense. Taking it as a good sign I moved my hand a little higher. This time she flinched and I pulled away.  
    “Luke,” Stacey breathed in deep.  
    I placed a finger against her lips. “Don’t. I won’t do anything you don’t want to.” I kissed two fingers and placed them on her cheek. “I’m going to go get a shower then head to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.” A cold shower.  
    I pushed my chair away from the table and turned to go to the bathroom. Before I left the kitchen I leaned down and spoke into Stacey’s ear. “By the way, thank you. For everything.”
    Stacey shivered. Score one for me.  
    The cold shower didn’t help much.  

CHAPTER TWELVE

    The next day I sat in Dr. Greenberg’s waiting room watching the black hands on the clock once again turn slow circles against the white background. Stacey and I came in separate cars since I needed a car to get around town after my appointment. Finding a job topped my list of things to do for the day. I didn’t intend to stay with Stacey long, but a small part of me wanted to. Okay, maybe not so small. Seeing her that morning getting ready for work was hot. Maybe sticking around longer wasn’t such a bad idea. For that to happen I needed a job.  
    Not to mention someone would have to pay the court costs when the day came. I couldn’t ask my mom or Dave to help out. Mom didn’t have any control of the family finances and Dave would laugh just before letting his fist connect with some part of my body.  
    I went in for my appointment and suffered through an hour of the same questions as the last two days. The one thing that stuck out though, was her discreet warning about Stacey. With my hand on the doorknob she called my name. Her last words of the day were, “Luke, if you hurt Stacey in any way, court will be the least of your concerns.” I responded with a simple, ‘yes ma’am’ and left. I gave Stacey a quick wave on my way out. No reason to tell her Dr. Greenberg’s warning, she’d flip if she thought there might be a chance the lovely Doc knew what we’d done.
    Not quite ready to go job hunting, I took a deep breath and let my shoulders droop against the brick wall while I basked in the midday sun. It was hot in Texas, but no worse than Florida. This time of year it didn’t hit a hundred until later in the day. There was a squeak followed by arms wrapped around my neck, right as I leaned back. I grabbed a hold of my assailant around the waist and steadied myself with a hand against the wall.  
    “What the