Chapter Four
Macy
Iexpected Drew’s place to be either a super modern apartment with an open plan or one of those large family homes with a wraparound porch, something with a lot of space for a big man. What I didn’t expect was an adorable two-bedroom cottage with a neat lawn and a literal white picket fence. “This is unexpected,” I said with a smile.
“I got a good deal,” he said, unlocking the door and pushing it open. He motioned for me to enter first. “And I didn’t want a big ass place to clean. This was perfect.”
“It’s cute,” I said as I looked around at the large sofa and the overstuffed chairs that filled out the living room. An area rug gave the room space and the large windows let in moonlight. The place had ultra-masculine décor, which was to say none at all, just a few photos of his biker family, a huge television, several gaming consoles and an impressive bookshelf that stretched from the floor to the ceiling, full to bursting. “Still a voracious reader, I see.” He’d always loved to read, which had fostered my own love of reading over the years.
He shrugged, a little sheepish. “Not as much as before, but yeah. When I find time.”
“Read anything good lately?” Sleep hadn’t come easily the past few months, and I kept my tone casual. Reading usually helped me sleep and he’d always had a recommendation for me.
He laughed. “Nothing that’ll help you sleep at night,” he said as if he’d read my mind.
That earned a snort out of me.
His hand settled on my lower back, steady and warm, and oh so familiar. “Come on, I’ll give you the two-cent tour.”
“I can afford it, so I’m in.” It was comforting to know that some things never changed. Drew and I could always have a good time together, despite the epic shitstorm that had been our lives.
The staircase was too narrow to walk side by side, but his hand stayed on my back, warm and comforting until we made it to the top of the stairs. “We’ll have to share the bathroom,” he sighed as if he’d only thought of it now. “But I’m not messy.”
I shot him a look with my brows raised. “Guess you had to grow up at some point.”
“Fuck yeah,” he muttered. “That shit wouldn’t fly in the Army.”
It was so fucking weird to think of him as a soldier, but with his protective streak it made sense. This man, this red-headed giant of a man who shared the same lopsided grin with my childhood best friend, but that was where the similarities ended. This man was a battle-hardened veteran, a tough-as-nails biker, and who knew what else.
But he was still my safe place.
“How was it?” I asked, realizing I’d been staring too long. “The Army?”
He hesitated, rubbing a hand through his hair. “It was fine. Gave me the structure I never would’ve found on the streets, or hell, anywhere else.” He let out a dry laugh. “It wasn’t the life for me, not for the long haul, but I’m mostly grateful formy time there.” He stopped at a door at the end of the hall. “This is my room.” It was spacious with big, dark furniture. It was clean but lived in. It was a man’s space.
I took in all the details, the dark colors, the big pieces meant to hold his big frame. “It’s tidier than the last time I was in your bedroom,” I said with a teasing grin.
He gave me a look that saidshut up,which only made me grin wider. A short laugh escaped.
“And this,” he opened the next door, “is your room.” He froze. “Shit.”
I stepped inside, realizing instantly what had produced that reaction. The room was empty. Not completely, but effectively. There was a dark blue nightstand, a lampshade but no lamp on top, and a few boxes lined up beneath the window. The hardwood floors were bare too.
A loud laugh burst out of me. I know beggars can’t be choosers, and I’d slept in far worse places, but the room didn’t have a bed. “You invited me to stay with you when you don’t even have a place for me to actually stay?”
He flushed pink. “Ah shit… I forgot I got rid of it. I was gonna turn this room into something else, an office or gym, and I never got around to it.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “You can take my room I’ll have the couch, I can order a bed tomorrow.”
“No way. This whole situation is already a lot, I’m not taking your bed from you, I’ll take the couch.”
He stepped closer. Too close. My breath stuttered for a split second before I forced myself to remain calm and steady.“I’m not letting you sleep on the fucking couch, Mace.” He said firmly as if his word was law.
I crossed my arms. “I’m nobody’s delicate flower.”
He leaned in until I could see all the shades of gray and silver in his intense, stormy eyes. “Not delicate,” he whispered. “More like a cactus. Strong. Capable of withstanding more shit than it ever should’ve had to.”
My breath caught, damn him. “Still not taking your bed,” I shot back, almost smiling.
He exhaled like I was the one being impossible. “I could sleep on the floor. It’ll be like old times.”
