Dammit. Ultimately, Bane Blackwood is confusing. One minute I think we’re getting closer and the next he’s farther than ever. Sometimes I swear he feels this too. When we aren’t able to meet for a while and finally find the time, he’s all heat and hunger, savoring me like I’m the only thing that matters in his world, his eyes blazing with something that feels dangerously close to devotion. Or when his golden gaze softens and his fingers linger on my skin like he never wants to let go.
Right when it feels like we’re on the verge of something more, the walls come back up and he pushes me away. Is he scared of opening up? Did someone hurt him before?
We’re only getting closer physically. If he’s resistant to love and always keeps me at arm’s length, he won’t ever Recognize me.
We’re meant for each other. Bane’s body, his knot, and his heart are meant for me. But that doesn’t mean hewantsme. Not the way I need him to. He doesn’t want to keep me.
12.The Strings Attached
Josh
Bane and I haven’t seen much of each other the past week. But plenty of other activities take up my time.
The circular potion bottle tips off the side of the counter and tumbles to the floor below.Crack.A splintering sound, but when I lean over the edge and check, the glass remains mostly intact, save for a crack at the impact site.
“Awesome,” I laugh. Pretty good, especially for my first attempt at strengthening the glass. Defensive techniques are fairly straightforward but making them last against any attack takes a mix of power and determination. What’s it like to protect and stand between something and destruction?
Selecting a squat square bottle next, the cool surface heats up in my palms as the magic sinks into it. Almost there—
“Hey.”
“Ah!” Losing my concentration when I hear Bane’s voice, the bottle falls before I finish fortifying it, and the glass shatters on the floor.
Oops. Bane waits for me as I clean up the mess, his brown bomber jacket hugging his broad shoulders. He glances around the empty potions store, a familiar smirk playing on his lips.
“Hey, you off soon?” The heated look in his eyes tells me exactly what he’s after.
“No, but I’m free Friday.”
His smirk widens. “You think I don’t already have plans for my weekend?”
“Move your big plans?”
“Rearrange my schedule for you?” He makes a show of considering it, but that’s all it is. A show. He likes hooking up with me. Why else would he keep doing it?
Sure enough, Bane leans against the counter, his eyes locking on mine. “Only if you make it worth my while,” he purrs.
This is my chance.
“It’s Clover Pack movie night on Friday,” I offer, aiming for casual but probably missing by a mile.
“Showing something good?” he asks nonchalantly, fingers drumming on the counter as he leans back.
“I’m not sure, but it will be fun.”
Like someone flipped a switch, the interest drains from his face and he disengages. “Why invite me to your pack’s gathering?”
“Everyone is welcome,” I say, fiddling with a jar of dried herbs on the counter. “You should come.”
He makes a face. “Your pack’s territory should be private. It’s not Disneyland. You shouldn’t just invite rivals into your den.”
“We don’t think of you as rivals.”
“That’s good. You guys are way too soft to tangle with us.”
“Seriously?” I huff. “Is this really an issue?”
“Nah. It doesn’t matter.” Bane sighs, that familiar mask of indifference sliding back into place. “But we’re not dating.”
