AllFreeNovel
Share Us
On anyone else it would have looked over-the-top. Onher, it increased her edge.
“So, do you?” I caught her bare elbow between two fingers before she could turn down her street and dash into the darkness.“Should you be walking around alone out here?”
“I’m fine, Killian. I can look after myself.”
“By running as fast and as far as you can.” I couldn’t help it. The asshole in me really had come out to play. “Lux, I’m sorry. That was—”
“The same stereotypeyou didn’t want me to believe a second ago.”
“Yeah.” I rubbed my tenderized jaw, noting the rising bumpwhere Rafe had gotten a free hit in. Fuck, I’d take ten if it meant spending more time with her. “You know how to fight, Little Bird? Has Rafe given you lessons?” He offered self-defense classes to any shifter who wanted them.
Rules are made to be broken.
Not my rules. Those had no flex. The most I could do was protect her in a manager-staff relationship, make sure she got home all right, and that the club continued to be a safe place for her and anyone else we allowed through the doors.
Bullshit, bullshit, fucking bullshit.
My teeth ground together hard enough for Lux to wince.
“Stop that.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She smiled, her head canted to one side. The snark she wore like armor softened, and she let me draw her a little closer. “And no. He—” She hesitated, mulling on the thought. “I decided not to go ahead with it. The lessons,” she clarified.
“Maybe I could teach you, if you like.” The air between us thickened. I couldn’t draw a breath, but I’d willingly suffocate for the woman inches from me.
Myfingers slid a lazy trail down her arm to circle her wrist. Nothing more; I didn’t pull her to me, dip my head, and bruise her lips with my mouth or spin her around and discover every tender spot that could make her moan or scream.
Large, deep blue eyes stared up at me, the jewels surrounding them highlighting their fathomless depths.
“Lux—” My voice cracked. That was as far as I got in whatever crazy decided to make an appearance and screw with us both.
“Fucking unclean piece of shit!” a voice screamedclose enough to raise hairs on my back. A car whizzed by us and around the corner way too close. Bald tires mounted the gutter, swerving around a lamp post that could have t-boned them all.
“Jesus fuck,” I growled. My arms wrapped around Lux’s tiny waist.I backed her against the building in a stride, my arms braced either side of her in a meager form of protection. But fuck me if I’d let some asshole run her down after a pint too many and making the stupid ass decision to drive home.
The car disappearedalong the road, a single taillight and a pair of black stripes left on the footpath the sole evidence of their stupidity.
A tiny, choked sound brought my gaze back to lock onto hers, and I froze at what I read in her pale, taut features.
Shame.
“Hey, pretty girl. Ignore those fuckers. They’re idiots. Did I hurt you?” I leaned into her space, grazing my knuckles over her icy cheek as I checked her for injuries. One hand slipped behind her to make sure I hadn’t thrown her back against the brick wall too hard, but she didn’t wince at my inspection, staring at me with wide eyes.
“Your sweat is stuck to my feathers.” Her breath came in short, shallow pants, and I knew she was running on automatic.
Jesus. If she kept on like that, she’d hyperventilate on me.
“Your feathers are stuck tomy sweat.” I waited on her usual rejoinder. When it didn’t come, I cursed myself as a dick, softening my voice. “Hey, Little Bird. You’re okay. It’s you and me. No one else. Forget them. No one to hurt you, right?” I cupped her cheeks in my palms, bringing my face level with hers. My mouth tingled with the need to kiss her. I shoved it away.
Time and a place, Killian.
Right now, I had neither.
“It’s fine,” she whispered in a faint voice. Cold fingers wrapped around my hands. She gave a gentle tug to free herself, her calm restored.
Beautiful and unbroken. Gods, but the girl had strength.
