Her smile faltered.
She turned back to Chain. “I came back like you asked,” she purred. “You said we’d pick up where we left off.” She tossed me a wink. “It’s amazing what can happen in the front seat of a car.”
Chain pried her arms loose with visible effort. “Enough—”
“Is someone picking your employee up?” she cut in, eyes sliding my way again.
“Her name’s Lark,” Chain snapped. “And no.”
Her posture stiffened.
I stepped closer, not threatening, but unmoved, letting her feel the difference.
“I’m fine,” I said quietly. “If Chain wants to go with you, I can find a ride.”
Chain’s head snapped toward me, eyes darkening—surprise, irritation, and something hotter flickering under all of it.
“Thanks,” Brianna said sweetly. “We’d appreciate it.”
“But I don’t think he does.” I smirked.
Chain’s breath hitched. Barely. But I caught it.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Brianna snapped, her shine fading fast.
“I know he didn’t hug you,” I said. “I know his hands weren’t on you. And I know you saw me before you pretended you didn’t.”
Her cheeks reddened. She opened her mouth, nothing came out.
“Brianna,” Chain ground out, “go home.”
“Chain—”
“You can see my interest has moved on.”
She looked between us—me not intimidated, him resolute—and something bitter twisted her mouth.
“I was doing you a favor,” she spat. “Another chance to prove you could please me.”
I let out a soft laugh. “We both know that’s a lie.”
Her breath caught. She spun away, heels clicking loud across the asphalt until she disappeared into the dark.
Silence expanded between us, thick, heavy, charged.
Chain dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling hard. “Lark…”
I didn’t look at him. Couldn’t. Not when the ache under my ribs was tangled with something warm and unwanted. Not when I’d felt his eyes on me the whole time Brianna clung to him.
“I’m ready to go,” I said, walking toward the bike.
But Chain didn’t move.
For the first time since I’d met him, he stayed rooted—staring at me like he wasn’t sure whether to follow… or grab my arm, pull me back, and ask why I’d defended myself like I belonged to him.
And why I’d looked at him like he belonged to me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
