“Did he climb through a window, like I did?”
I sigh. “No. He came to my door saying he was being chased by a bear.”
His brows lift higher. “A goddamn bear? At this time of year, they’re all hibernating.”
“Yeah, I know. I opened the door just a crack so I could tell him that piece.”
“Em,” he says, rubbing a hand over his jaw, “next time, text me instead of openin’ the door to a stranger.”
Heat flushes across my face. “Yeah, I could do that, but it would be better to just learn not to open my door to strangers—full stop. Then I could still be a strong, independent woman.”
“Yeah, I figured you’d say something like that,” he says with a sexy smile. “It’s almost like you don’t need me anymore.”
That little lopsided smile sends a flutter of excitement straight to my clit. After everything that just happened, I feel closer than ever to Onyx. I know he’s just being a decent humanbeing. I also know he’s always been an outrageous flirt, so I don’t try to flirt back. I’m no good at it anyhow.
He looks up from filling his bag and catches me watching him. His expression turns serious.
“You scared the hell out of me today,” he says quietly. “Let’s not do that again, alright?”
“I didn’t mean to cause trouble for you. You should let me put some antiseptic on those cuts, by the way.”
“It’s all a bunch of superficial shit. I don’t need tending to.”
A soft, breathless laugh slips out. “Suit yourself, but we both know if I don’t do it now, Queenie will, the second you walk into the clubhouse.”
“Like hell she will. She knows better than to coddle me.”
“People make a big deal over the people they love.”
“Now don’t try to tell me you love me,” he teases.
“I’ve always loved you and your brothers growing up. I should think that would be obvious.”
His eyes warm at my softly spoken admission. “I didn’t like seeing that fucker scare the shit outta you. He made you cry, and I take that shit seriously.” There is a faint tease threading through his harsh tone.
“You went feral on him, so I think we’re about even.” I shoot back, cheeks warming.
His smile grows wider, and it looks good on him. “We always considered you part of our club because you were located squarely in our territory.”
I don’t want him to leave but it wouldn’t be right to ask him to stay. He’s got his own life to lead.
Onyx comes to his feet and looks down at me. The protector part of his personality rides closer to the surface with him. He takes one small step back. And just like always, he starts to leave. Because we’re just friends.
The door closes behind him with a soft click, and I interpret that to mean he’s not really interested in anything more than a friendship with me. That’s okay. I get that I’m not like the drop dead beautiful women he’s used to dealing with on the regular. It’s disappointing as hell though.
Frisky looks up at me. His big green eyes wide and adoring. His whiskers brush my arm as he snuggles closer to my chest. I sigh and hold him closer.
“Of all the men in the world to fall for, why does it have to be him?” I whisper against his fur.
Naturally, he doesn’t answer, but his soft purr lets me know he’s here for me. And right now, that’s enough.
Chapter 6
Onyx
The moment the door closes behind me, everything I held back inside that cabin finally surges to the surface. I hesitate before I step off her porch, torn between leaving and running back to her. Inside, I’d been too focused on holding my shit together and saying what she needed to hear, to allow myself to feel my fucking feelings.
Now I’m alone, the rage comes flooding back. I can’t believe that asshole forced his way into her home and terrorized her. In his panic to hide from the cops, he intruded into her life, crossed boundaries, broke the law, and stole away a piece of her innocence and trust in the world. That’s an unforgivable transgression. And no matter how long I have to wait or what I have to do, I’m gonna make sure he fuckin’ regrets it.
