“A yard full of misogynistic pricks,” I offered. “You’re right. This place is a thousand times better.”
He scoffed. “Hardly comparable is it? This set up.”
Wilder cleared his throat, but Declan continued watching me. Appraising, as if he was wondering why he’d married me in the first place yet wondering how he could make sure it remained that way.
“This place is the best place on earth,” I told him, not keeping the bite from my tone. “Mainly because you’re not here.”
Wilder gave a quiet chuckle that turned to a growl when Declan lifted a hand toward me.
“Don’t even think about it.” His voice was low and deep, full of threat.
I’d always considered Declan to be astute in many ways but when he ran a finger down the curve of my cheek, I wondered whether he was still in possession of a brain.
Wilder, never a man to procrastinate, pulled back his arm and landed a fist right in Declan’s stomach.
With a loud exhale of pain, he doubled over. Groaning he staggered back, one arm cradling his stomach like it might keep his pride from spilling out.
“You’re insane,” he rasped.
Wilder stepped forward, not touching him but close enough that the warning was clear.
“Next time you so much as look at her wrong, I won’t aim for your stomach.”
Declan’s eyes flicked to me, his mouth curling into something between a sneer and a pout. “This isn’t over.”
“No,” Wilder said. “It really is.”
Declan took one last look around the office like he was trying to remember something about it, then turned and left. His shoes scuffed down the porch steps and he was gone.
The silence after felt heavy and my legs wobbled but Wilder was already there. Hands gentle as he caught my arms, grounding me like he always did.
“You alright?” he asked, voice low.
I nodded, then shook my head. “He said he was taking Dreamy. That I stole him.”
“You didn’t steal a damn thing,” Wilder muttered, eyes dark. “I was with Gunner when he got your message. He was showing me pictures of the new stallion. I just…left.”
My stomach twisted. “You think he’ll wonder why?”
Wilder shrugged, jaw ticking. “Probably. Doesn’t matter now, does it? Cat’s out of the bag.”
My breath caught. “What do you mean?”
His hand ran up and down my arm, comforting, but there was something distant in it. Like his mind was already somewhere else.
“I mean, now that your ex has put on a show in the office and I’ve made it clear I’ll throw a punch for you, there’s no point pretending anymore.” He gave me a tight smile. “We can still be just sex. Just… less sneaky about it.”
Something twisted deep in my chest. It shouldn’t have hurt. That was the deal, wasn’t it? No strings. No promises. Just something physical to burn the loneliness out of our bones.
But hearing it framed that way now, with the sting of Declan still on my skin and Wilder’s mouth so close to mine, it didn’t land like it used to. Now it felt less.
I smiled back, brittle at the edges. “Right. Less sneaky.”
His thumb brushed my cheek. Not seeming to notice the way I blinked a little too fast.
“Dreamy’s going to be fine. The amount of security Gunner has on this place, there’s no way he’s leaving without you saying so.”
I nodded, swallowing the ache as his handsome features blinded me with want.
