Page 59 of Knot What I Expected

Monster purrs.

The bastard actually fucking purrs.

Wolf my ass.

“Go home,” she says, but there’s less bite in it now.

“You first.”

“I’m working.”

“Then I'm staying.”

“What?”

“I came for a drink.”

“You already had one.”

“Feel like having two.”

Her eyes narrow.

“You're going to sit there and watch me all night, aren't you?”

“Probably.”

“That’s creepy.”

“I've been called worse.”

“I bet.”

She turns toward the door.

“Gabby.”

She pauses.

I don't know why I say it.

Maybe because Monster is clawing at my ribs.

Maybe because I can still smell how tired she is.

Maybe because staying the fuck away from Gabriella Santos lasted exactly three days and I already know I'm not strong enough to make it four.

“Don't let anybody give you shit in there.”

She looks over her shoulder.

“I can take care of myself.”

“I know.”

I mean it. And that seems to surprise her.

Hell, it surprises me.