“You’ve got me,” she murmurs.
“That’s right.”
After another moment of silence she adds, “All that’s left is ashes. I should be dead.”
It’s terrifying to hear because it’s true. It was so close. “Don’t say that.”
I hold her tighter and she hums. “You saved my life.”
I’m not sure what to say but it doesn’t matter. Her breathing evens out as she drifts off, leaving me awake to fight a riot of emotions. She feels so right in my arms. I haven’t wanted a woman in my bed since Isla. Not for more than a few hours, anyway.
Is the fire the reason I feel so protective? It must be.
I’ve always liked Silver. The first time we met was because Calli needed a ride to pick her up from jail. I’d expected her to be upset, but she climbed in my truck and happily told me she’d kicked her cheating ex-boyfriend’s ass when I asked what she was arrested for. She’s a stubborn smart ass but I respect the way she takes no shit. It also turns me on. The onenight we spent together, fuck. Just the thought has my cock hardening.
My phone rattles and lights up on the nightstand, showing a text notification.
Private Number
I know where she is.
Anger surges through me. Whoever this is, they’re going to be sorry for fucking with me.
CHAPTER 8
SILVER
My head thumps,forcing me awake early despite my late night. I never sleep long with a hangover. It’s a curse. Lee’s arm is tucked securely around my stomach, trapping me in place. I roll slowly onto my back, and his grip on me loosens, but he doesn’t wake up.
He looks like he hasn’t shaved in a couple of days, and his dark hair is sticking up every which way. That shouldn’t be as sexy as it is. It gives him a wild look, and combined with those full lips—damn, he has the most kissable lips—and defined jaw, he’s a mix of beauty and beast.
My heart aches at the thought of what he’s been through. That after years, he hasn’t been able to fully heal. It’s sweet of Lacey to want to fix it for him, but a new love isn’t going to erase that trauma. You can’t fix broken men. You can love them, and you can stick by them while they try to fix themselves, that’s all.
I slide out from under his arm without waking him. When I look back, Goblin has settled down at his side, her head resting on his arm. He may not like cats, but she likes him. I plod out to the living room, wincing at the sunlight that pours through the windows.
Lacey glances up at me from the couch where she’s putting on her socks. “Hungover?” she chirps.
“Dying.” My voice is raspy and dry.
“I had a little headache, but I don’t usually get hangovers.”
“That’s because you’re a fetus.” What I’d give for the healing powers of a twenty-three year old again. No one tells you that drinking all night and being fine the next day ends once you hit your thirties. At least it did for me. I support my pounding head on my hand as I head to the kitchen in search of the bottle of ibuprofen I saw by the sink.
She laughs and follows me, then holds out a little packet of drink mix while I’m getting a glass of water. “These are miracle workers. It has electrolytes, vitamins, and some caffeine. Mix it with your water. It doesn’t taste bad.”
She’ll get no argument from me. I stir it in then wash down a couple of painkillers. At least my stomach doesn’t feel bad. Lacey’s phone buzzes and she grins when she looks at it. “I have to go. I’m meeting Nick for breakfast. Thanks for the girls night. I needed it.”
“It was really fun. I’m always available to talk shit about men.”
By the time I’ve showered and dressed, I feel a lot better. Lacey was right about the drink. My stomach growls as Igather the ingredients to make breakfast. The faint sound of Lee’s shower running tells me he’s awake.
He walks out as I’m removing the bacon from the pan. “How do you want your eggs?” I ask.
“Fried, over hard. Has Lacey already left?” He pours himself a cup of coffee.
“About half an hour ago. She made up with her boyfriend.”
He turns to look at me, suddenly more alert. “What did he do?”
