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“Sorry about that,” she says with a sweet smile. Her cheeks glow with the lightest pink, and I’m having a hard time not bending down to kiss them.
My hands itch to reach out and grab her, to pull her soft curves against the hard slats of my body and finally have my fill of my mate, but I can’t.I won’t.
I tighten my hands into fists and take a step back for good measure.
“Watch where you’re going,” I snap at her. Eden’s smile falls instantly, and fucking hell, ithurtsknowing I caused her pain.
Shit. I’m messing things up with everyone today.
I should apologize, but what’s the point? I can’t have her. Maybe pushing her away is the better option.
Still, I can’t stand to see her looking so visibly stricken because of me. I hate myself for hurting her, but I would have gotten her hurt at some point.
“Eden,” I start, though I have no follow-up.
I’m not even sure what I’m going to say. Maybe apologize, maybe ask her what she needs, but before I can, she’s shoving something into my chest and backing away. My wolf paws at me, wanting me to make it better. He doesn’t like the thought of our mate running away from us.
“I figured out the books,” she says in a rush. It’s like she can’t wait to get away from me, and I can’t blame her. I’ve been a confusing asshole, but I don’t know what else to do. “I made notes on that sheet there and gave you suggestions for budget guidelines for each department,” she finishes.
“Eden, I… thank you.”
“Don’t mention it,” she chirps out, far too cheerful to be believed. Shit. I really messed things up. “Oh, and I don’t need your help at my place. I’ve got it under control. You don’t owe me anything. I’m just happy to help,” she blurts before she turns and darts off.
I watch her go, an intense loneliness filling me as she disappears from view.
Go after her,my wolf screams at me and I grit my teeth.
I can’t. We can’t,I argue.
She needs us! She’s going to get hurt just by walking down the street. She needs a wolf to look after her.
Maybe he has a point. I thought she was going to drop the drill right on her sandal-clad foot when I went up to her yesterday. Lord knows what trouble she’ll get into with other power tools around.
“Ah, sothat’swhat’s gotten into you today,” Griffin says behind me and I stiffen.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, trying to school my features.
“That girl. She’s got you twisted up into knots,” he says.
“That’s Eden.”
“Oh, good. We’re headed to meet her for lunch. Why don’t you join us?” he offers.
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because of…” I can’t bring myself to say it, but he knows what I’m talking about.
“You’re not cursed, Ryker.”
Griffin has never believed in the curse, but that doesn’t change everything that’s happened to the people I’m closest to. An image of Griffin flashes in front of my eyes, his body lying in the dirt in front of me, blood spilling from the bullet hole in his side.
He pushed me out of the way and took the bullet that was meant for me. I know he doesn’t regret it, that he never will, but I do.
“I need to get home,” I grumble and he sighs. I don’t bother to argue with him. We’ll never see eye to eye on this matter, so I’ve found it better to just walk away. I know my friend is disappointed in me, but I can’t deal with that right now.
I’m almost home, but I’m restless, itching to do something. I have this energy pulsing through me and I won’t be able to relax until I’ve gotten rid of it. My wolf agrees.
