The way she stepped back, opening the door wider, told me everything I needed to know about what would happen next.
Chapter Six
Ada
I stepped back from the doorway, a silent invitation hanging between us as rain pelted the glass on the other side of my living room behind me.Lightning fractured the sky, illuminating Jag’s face for a heartbeat, all hard angles and… confusion?“Jag?”I said softly, my voice nearly lost in the growl of thunder.His eyes locked with mine, something wild and hungry swimming in their depths.He stood motionless.
“Knight wouldn’t like this,” Jag warned, his voice rough.But his feet carried him inside anyway, crossing the boundary with deliberate steps.His body language remained stiff, like he was ready to bolt.
“Knight doesn’t dictate who I invite into my space,” I replied, shutting the door.The sudden quiet felt deafening, filled only by the drum of rain against the windows and the sound of thunder rolling ominously.“Beer?”
A curt nod answered me.I walked to the kitchen, feeling Jag’s gaze track my movement.When I returned with two bottles, Jag had planted himself at the edge of my couch, his back straight as if he were bracing himself for a job interview or something.It was kind of cute.
“Here.”I handed him a bottle and settled beside him, leaving enough space that we wouldn’t accidentally touch.Thunder rolled outside, closer this time.The lights flickered once, twice.
“Thanks.”He took a healthy pull of his beer.Followed by an awkward silence.
“Relax, Jag,” I said, taking a sip of my beer.“I don’t bite.Unless asked nicely.”I smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
That got a snort of laughter out of him.“Only tense because this is a really bad idea.”He rubbed his hands along his thighs nervously.
Another crash of thunder shook the windows, and the lights gave a final, desperate flicker before plunging us into darkness.
“Shit,” I muttered, the bottle cool against my palm as I set it on the coffee table.“They’ll get the generators going if it stays out too long.”
“Got candles?”The lightning flickering outside illuminated him.He moved closer to me and I thought he might touch me, but he only kept himself between me and the windows.
I looked up at him, tilting my head to study what I saw there.“You’re putting yourself between me and danger.You’re protecting me?”
His head jerked, like I’d hit him.“Of course I’m protecting you.”The poor man looked so offended I giggled before I could stop myself.“You think that’s funny?”
“Not at all!”I reached over to put my hand on his arm.“It’s just that you look so offended I asked.”
“I’m an ex-con.Not a monster.”I winced as he looked away.
“Hey.”I pressed my hand to his cheek and turned him to face me.His beard was coarse beneath my hand, and I longed to pet him just to feel the texture over my palm.“I never thought you were a monster.But I promise you don’t have to protect me from the storm.Not yet anyway.”I smiled.“It’s a squall and will pass.My question is, were you trying to get close to me, or did you do it on reflex?”
He scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck.“I mean, ain’t gonna deny wantin’ to get close to you.”He gave me a heated look.“Wouldn’t be in your apartment if I didn’t.”
I grinned up at him.“Good to know.So, what made you make the decision to put yourself between me and the window?”
“Reflex.I don’t like loud noises.”
“And you automatically protect the person next to you?”
“No.But you’re not just some random person next to me.”
“I’m not?”
He stared at me, his chin going out stubbornly.“No.”
“No?Then what am I?”He cleared his throat, looking everywhere but at me.“Jag?”
He sighed.“You…” He finally met my gaze again.This time, there was a fierce possessiveness that probably should have worried me.“You’re mine.”Again, he lifted his chin, like he was daring me to contradict him.
“Yeah.I think I might be.You don’t sound too happy.”
“Never said that.”He shook his head.“Just… ain’t never had a woman of my own and don’t really want one.”
