Page 91 of Knot What I Expected

“You just like a challenge.”

“No.”

“You don't know me.”

“I want to.”

“Why?”

“Fuck if I know!”

She flinches. I drag both hands through my hair.

“That's the goddamn problem.”

Her brow furrows.

“I've spent weeks trying to stay away from you. Maybe months.”

“Yeah? By sitting at my bar every night?”

“I said trying. I didn't say I was fucking good at it.”

That almost gets her.

Her mouth twitches. But then she looks toward Matteo. And I see the exact moment she remembers why she can't let herself laugh. Why she can't let this be easy.

“I can't be a challenge for you, Havoc.”

“You're not.”

“I have a son to take care of.”

“I know.”

“He comes first.”

“He fucking should.”

Her amber eyes fly back to mine. Something changes between us. Maybe she expected an argument.

She isn't getting one.

I might be a feral bastard, but I’m not competing with a six-year-old for his mother's attention.

Hell, one of the things I like most about Gabriella is the way she loves that kid.

“I don't have time for games,” she whispers. “I can't do casual. I can't have some fun little thing with the hot firefighter until you get bored and move on.”

“Hot firefighter?”

Monster preens.

“Shut up. You know you’re hot.”

I didn’t until she said it.

But it’s not the fucking point.