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"I'm not asking you to spy on her. I'm just asking you to do me a solid and let me know if you notice anything." He purses his lips, staring at me. "Have you noticed anything?"
"She's been acting the same way since I met her."
"Yeah, well, it's different. She's quieter than usual."
"Have you asked her about it?"
"Yeah, she says everything is fine."
I toss my pen down, crossing my arms. "Then maybe you should think about believing her, Keegan. Before you piss her off," I advise. "She's a smart girl, capable of taking care of herself. If she needs your help with something, she'll tell you. Until then, maybe you need to figure out how to back off and let her live her own life."
"You think I'm smothering her?"
"I didn't say that," I say carefully, not wanting to leave him worried that he's doing something wrong with her. Fuck my life. This is already more complicated that I expected it would be. "I'm just saying, she just moved to town. She's settling in and finding her footing. If she's quieter than normal, maybe it's because she has shit on her mind. When she's ready to talk to you about it, she will. Until then, you need to chill the fuck out and stop stressing so goddamn much. She's good. You're good. Enjoy it."
"Shit." He blows out a breath, scrubbing a hand down his face. "Maybe you're right, and I'm worrying about nothing. I just want her to be happy here. It's been a long time since she had a place she could call home, you know?"
"Yeah, I get that. But she's here now and she's good. So relax. If something is bugging her, she'll tell you when she's ready."
"Thanks, man." He shoots me a grin. "For someone born in a barn, you're not half bad at this shit, you know?"
"And for someone with a sister, you're still fucking terrible at it," I retort. "Asshole."
He chuckles, tapping my door. "See you tomorrow, fucker."
"Yeah, see you." I shake my head, picking up my pen again. But after a few seconds, I toss it back on the desk. I can't concentrate on someone else's girl when I just want to talk to mine.
I grab my phone, scrolling to Elodie's number.
Me: You awake, princess?
Elodie: How'd you get my number?
Me: Same way you got my invitation.
Elodie: You know theft is a crime, right?
I grin, settling back in my chair. I guess we're ignoring her foray into the same crime.
Me: Yeah? You going to arrest me, princess?
Elodie: Maybe. Do I get to handcuff you?
Me: Fuck no. But I'll definitely use them on you.
Elodie: Eh, no thanks, then.
I chuckle, dialing her number.
"You know it's after midnight, right, Cranky?" she says on the second ring.
"And yet you sound wide awake."
"Maybe I was busy."
"If you say you were touching my pussy, we're going to have problems, Elodie."
"I don't recall it belonging to you, Coby."
"Do I need to come over there and remind you that it's mine? Because I will, princess," I warn her. "You'll be screaming that it's mine while you're coming on my tongue."
"You wouldn't," she whispers.
The little thread of doubt in her voice has me reaching for my keys. She still doesn't believe that this is real. She thinks I'm toying her. That this is a game to me.
Fuck that. If she wants me, I'm hers.
I shove my keys in my pocket and quickly lock up the shop before heading out to my truck.
"What are you doing?" she asks, sounding wide awake when she hears the engine rev.
"Coming to get what belongs to me. I'll be there in five minutes."
"Coby, you aren't serious."
"Dead serious, princess. Unlock the door for me."
"Coby."
"Unlock the door, Elodie."
I disconnect, not giving her a chance to argue with me.
Exactly six minutes later, I tap on the front door to her apartment, not entirely convinced she'll answer. She's more than capable of leaving my ass standing outside just to remind me that I'm not in charge of her.
But just when I'm starting to think that's exactly what she's going to do, she yanks the door open, those hazel eyes eating up the sight of me.
"Jesus," I rumble, my gaze running down her body. She's dressed in a tiny pair of shorts and a crop top. Her hard nipples are visible through the thin fabric. So is the outline of her juicy pussy. "You always wear that to bed, princess?"
"Maybe. Do you always invite yourself over for booty calls in the middle of the night?"
I jerk my gaze up to hers, scowling. "This isn't a booty call, Elodie."
"What do you call it then?"
I open my mouth to answer and then say to hell with it and scoop her up into my arms to carry her inside. She grumbles in protest but doesn't fight me. I push the door closed and lock it, taking a cursory glance at her place.
