He raises his hand, gently brushing some hair behind my ear. “No… I think I should be the one thanking you,” he says softly. “You’ve made me feel like a man again. I was starting to think I’d lost myself.” He pauses and adds, “Dammit! I don’t even know why I’m telling you this shit.”
I run my finger along his jaw. “Because even though we just fucked like animals, we’re still friends, and you can talk to me about anything, Danger. I should be asking if you’re okay, seeing as I’m your first woman since…” I pause, not wanting to say her name, but decide to hell with it, “… Ella.”
He caresses my cheek. “That chapter of my life with Ella is closed.”
I don’t answer. There’s nothing to say.
For the past couple of years, I’ve only slept with Steel. So I, too, am sleeping with someone new for the first time. It feelsodd but good. Danger feels right, and I like how things are progressing so far.
It leaves me wondering where this road will take us and whether this new ride will be the right one for me.
Chapter Nine
DANGER
The best way to start any day was waking up with Lunar in my bed. Having animalistic sex with her for the third time since last night was even better. She keeps up with me and is just as crazy as I am in the bedroom. I’m lucky to have found someone who equals not only my stamina but also my need for the balance of pleasure and pain.
I look across the table at Lunar while we sit at the hotel café eating breakfast. Ryan and the guys are here with us, and it’s great to see Lunar and Ryan hitting it off so well. Matt and Nate mostly keep to themselves.
As I watch Lunar, I can’t help but think how perfect she is and how completely opposite she is to Ella in every fucking way. Ella was always so young and fragile, weak and gentle, whereas Lunar is so much more of a woman and knows how to take care of herself. She’s strong, confident, sexy, sassy as hell, and an animal between the sheets. Fuck, if I weren’t so opposed to women right now, I’d be more inclined to make an honest woman out of her, but a fuck buddy will have to do until I figure my shit out.
I can’t risk having her as anything more.
The waitress pours our coffee and leaves.
“Can you pass the sugar, please, Nate?” Lunar asks.
Nate smirks, looking from me to Lunar. “Danger, you should call Lunar, sugar,” Nate teases knowing exactly what shit he’s stirring.
I tense at the thought of Ella, instantly recalling the nickname I used to call her.
“That sounds sweet, pardon the pun—”
“I willnever… ever…call Lunar sugar. She isnothinglike her,” I interrupt Lunar as she stares up at me in shock.
My chair slides out from under me, squealing on the tiled floor, and everyone glances up. Lunar raises her eyebrow, and I murmur, “You’re a fucking jerk, Nate,” before I head off toward the buffet area for some much-needed breathing space. Hearing Nate compare Lunar to Ella pisses me off. Nate has struck a nerve deep inside me. Ella’s with Chad and has moved on. So why can’t I? It’s fucked up, and I need to sort my shit out and fast.
A hand touches my arm, which causes me to flinch and break my thoughts. I turn to Lunar, who’s standing there. She frowns with a heavy sigh. “Was it a mistake?”
My chest heaves. It’s the smack to the forehead I needed to get me out of my funk. “No. Nate’s a dick. Bringing her up like that, reminding me of the name I used to call her, struck a nerve. I most definitely don’t regret our time. Not at all.”
She sighs. “He was just teasing, you know?”
Slumping my shoulders, I drop my chin to my chest. “I know. I overreacted. Ella fucks with my head.” Thinking about Ella is killing my damn mood.
Lunar nods, leaning forward, wrapping her arms around my neck, and pulls her body flush to mine. I look down at her while all thoughts of Ella vanish, and all I can think about is Lunar and her sensational body pressed against mine.
“Then let me help you forget about her.”
I nod and wrap my arms around her, pulling tighter. “Sounds perfect, only if you let me help you forget about Steel.”
She tilts her head to the side. “How did you—?”
“I can tell you’re not over him. The way you tried to pull back from me after our first kiss. It’s not just because of my demons. It’s because of yours too.”
“Well, damn! You’re smarter than you look, big guy.”
I lean my forehead against hers. “Also, Techie told me.”
