Page 70 of Bewitching Her Monsters

“I guess.” With him giving my fears validation, my anxiety ramps up more. “You think that’s necessary?”

“I’d rather be safe than sorry. I’d rather be inside with you, but I totally understand your need for space… especially after hearing about Rob,” Arran’s voice softens. “I just want you to be safe. I care about you.”

“You were going to drive by my house anyway, weren’t you?”

“Maybe.” He sucks in a breath, and I can almost hear him squirm over the phone. “I’m not doing great with boundaries because my protective side is being triggered.”

“I get it.” This sucks. I don’t enjoy feeling out of control. But I’d rather Arran have my back than something horrific happens to me. “Is Maxum one of the people who will be swinging by?”

“Is that okay?” he asks, then quickly adds, “I don’t expect him to be a jerk to you again. Well, at least not as bad as he was before.”

I grin at that. I wonder if Arran told him to back off. Maybe Maxum realizes he was being a wanker.

“It’s fine, but let Maxum know I won’t put up with his sassy mouth,” I taunt.

I hear a deep grumble in the background. Oh, my god…

“Is he there?” I say in a quieter tone.

“He’s my roommate, so yeah, he heard. Maxum has exceptional hearing and is just as inquisitive as you are,” Arran says with some restrained amusement.

“I wasn’t spying,” Maxum protests. “It’s not my fault she talks so loud.”

I know I didn’t say itthatloud.

“My threat still stands.” I bluff. “I’ll give it right back to him, if he gives me trouble.”

“Promises, promises,” I hear Maxum mutter.

A chill runs up my spine and into my low belly. But there is no way Maxum is into me too. I hate that Maxum has to be so sexy. If Arran and I end up together, his friends will torment me with their hotness.

There are worse ways to be tortured, though. My mind plays out fantasies of them tying me up and pleasuring me to the point of losing my mind. In a fun way this time.

“Jade?” Arran calls, probably not for the first time.

“Uh. Yeah?” I blush, as if he can read my thoughts.

“Do you think I can come by and see you soon?” His voice is so vulnerable.

Against my better judgment, because of my obviously horrible dating sense and the lingering issue with Rob, I give in a bit. “I’m not feeling great now. Can you check back in with me tomorrow, and maybe we can plan something then?”

“Of course, and be careful.”

“Will do,” I say and hang up.

Some spidey sense tells me there is much more to Arran, but I can’t figure out what that might be.

I don’t believe he wants to hurt me though. And that is what matters—for now.

My hopes aren’t high that this is a long-term relationship, but he might have come into my life just when I needed a protector.

Whatever runs this universe might be throwing me a bone here—literally and figuratively. I’m going to bite down and hold on for as long as it makes sense.

I stand by the window and peek through the crack in the curtains. The blinding California sun lights up the scene outside. You would think the land filled with sunshine wouldn’t have so much darkness, but it seems that there’s always a balance.

I wish Beast was with me now. I wonder if he had sensed my need that night, as animals often do, and that’s why he found me.

Or maybe humans just put way too much importance on circumstances.

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