Chapter 7 #3
She nodded, snuggling deeper into the blankets.
I turned off the light and pulled the door halfway shut, then stood there for a moment, just listening to her breathe.
Safe.
We were safe here.
For how long?
I wanted to stay—Dios, I wanted to stay!—but I couldn’t risk repaying Dakvaar with danger, right? Not when I wanted to repay him in some other way.
I found Dakvaar in the living room, sprawled in his armchair, a book open on his lap. The fire crackled low in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across his face. He looked up as I entered, his expression unreadable as always.
I hesitated, then sat on the couch across from him.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice quiet. “For the gifts. But you didn’t have to do that.”
His claws tapped against the book’s spine. “Yes, I did.”
I shook my head. “You don’t even know us.”
He set the book aside, his movements deliberate. Then he stood, crossing the space between us in three long strides. He crouched in front of me, his knees brushing mine, and took my hands in his.
His palms were warm. Rough. Safe.
“And yet,” he said, his voice low, “I know you take your coffee with one sugar, no cream—except on Fridays, when you get a mocha instead.”
My breath caught.
“I know you watch the door every time it opens at the café, but you relax when it’s a regular.”
My fingers twitched in his grip.
“I know you always check on Rosa before you check on anything else.”
My throat tightened.
“I know you sometimes mouth the words when she talks, like you’re memorizing them.”
Tears burned behind my eyes.
“I know you tip out the other servers even on your slow days.”
My vision blurred.
“I know you hum when you’re in the weeds and stressed, not when you’re calm.”
A tear slipped free, rolling down my cheek.
“I know you’ve been in Bramblewood longer than anywhere else since you left Texas. And I know you slow down a little more each month, like you’re daring yourself to stay.”
I swallowed hard, my pulse roaring in my ears.
He knew me.
Really knew me.
And on some level, that terrified me more than Anthony ever had.
Because no one had ever seen me like this…not even myself.
I pulled my hands free, wiping at my eyes. “How?” My voice was rough. “How do you know all that?”
His claws flexed, like he was fighting the urge to reach for me again. “I watch you.”
The words sent a shiver down my spine.
I exhaled, then forced myself to meet his gaze, remembering the way my pulse had jumped when I’d seen his body outlined in that tight shirt, remembering how I wanted to do something for him.
I didn’t want this to just be a friendship anymore, did I?
I took a deep breath. “Then let me tell you what I know about you.”
His eyes darkened, but he didn’t stop me.
“You always arrive at exactly the same time. To the minute.”
His lips parted slightly.
“You align things without noticing. Your mug. Your fork. The edge of your plate.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched.
“You watch Rosa when you think no one is looking.”
His breath hitched.
“You nod when you agree with something but haven’t decided to say so yet.”
His claws dug into his palms.
“You have a sweet tooth you’re embarrassed about.”
His tusks gleamed as he licked his lips.
“You’re kind to the other servers, even though you barely speak to them.”
His chest rose, slow and deep.
“You tipped thirty percent even before I knew your name.”
His eyes burned green fire.
“And your drawings—the way you share that with Rosa—” My voice cracked. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
His hands shot out, slamming into the leather on either side of my hips like he was holding himself back.
I leaned forward, my heart pounding.
Do it do it do it.
My lips parted as I cupped his cheek.
His skin was warm, rough with stubble. His breath stuttered against my fingers, so I tilted my head, my pulse roaring.
I wanted to know what it would be like to kiss him, to fit my lips between his tusks and swirl my tongue across his…
I wanted to know everything.
I leaned in—
And he jerked back.
His chair scraped against the floor as he stood, his chest heaving. “Goodnight, Sofia.”
Then he was gone, striding down the hall, his shoulders tense, his fists clenched at his sides.
I sat there, stunned, my fingers still tingling where they’d touched his skin.
And then I saw it.
The way his sweatpants had tented when he stood, the outline of something thick and heavy and huge between his legs.
My breath came fast, my mind racing.
He wanted me.
And that changed everything.
I stood on shaking legs, pressing a hand to my chest like I could slow my heart, an awed smile on my lips.
I needed to think.
I needed to—
A floorboard creaked in the hall.
I turned, half-expecting to see him come back, to see him change his mind, but the hallway was empty.
I exhaled, then turned toward the guest room.
I had a daughter to protect and a friend to whom I owed too much.
We couldn’t stay in Bramblewood, but maybe—just maybe—after I healed, and before we left, I could show Dakvaar how grateful I was.
My grin grew wicked. What I saw tonight told me he wouldn’t mind one bit.