I rested my arm along his abdomen telling myselfnotto enjoy this.But that was like trying not to enjoy ice cream.One of my favorite things about being with a man was this – snuggling up to him and falling asleep made me feel safe and like I belonged with him.
It had been nearly a year since my last serious relationship, and I’d forgotten how much I missed this.Which was the very reason I couldn’t relish this.Later tomorrow, we would go our separate ways when the threat had passed.I had to remember that.
Chapter 12
Iron-Clad
Ryan
Iwokeupagainto my fucking alarm at five o’clock.My back felt stiff.I stretched an arm out and encountered cold sheets.
I bolted upright and saw a strip of light at the bottom of the bathroom door.My eyes closed as I sighed.
What was Ivy doing to me?
I didn’t get worked up over a woman this way.We hardly knew each other, but there was a bond between us that seemed iron-clad.Part of me never wanted to let her go, but I would have to soon.We couldn’t get closer.
She didn’t need to get involved with me.
I lived for bar fights, and even before prospecting, I loved causing trouble with Killian.
She didn’t need a man with my temper.Hell, I’d jumped to all the wrong conclusions about her – I didn’t deserve someone like her.
The bathroom door opened and she padded back to the bed.“Is that the last alarm, Nickel?”
I sighed.“Yeah.”
The bed jostled while she got situated.“Good.Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Yesterday, how did you know a second blow could be seen as premeditation?You were so certain.Did you go to law school or something?”
I chuckled.“Or something.Mom’s a lawyer.She started as a public defender, which is how she met Dad.”
“Was she his lawyer?”she asked, her tone full of interest.
“No.Not at all.It’s a long story, but now she practices family law.”
“I see.What’s your dad do?”
“He paints custom art on bikes and the occasional car.”
“Really?”
“Don’t get excited, the business is owned by the Biloxi chapter.”
“Oh, so… why aren’t you with the Biloxi chapter?”
I had to shut this conversation down – for her sake and mine.“Do you really want to chat or are we goin’ back to sleep?”
She gave a dejected sigh and I felt like an ass.“Sorry.I’m just curious.”
“No, Ives, I’m being’ an asshole.Mick came out here for school and me and Kill didn’t like the idea of her being so far away.”
“I only met her once, but she seems like she can take care of herself.”
I laughed.“Yeah.It’s the men she attracts who never know how dangerous she is.”
