Page 68 of Living Without

“Fuck no,” I yelled, slamming the door behind me.

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“So,” I drew out, “it’s really good to see you again.” I smiled, and then we both burst out laughing. Stepping close, I tugged Melissa into a hug, and then I asked, “Did you want to grab some breakfast?”

She moved back and shook her head. “I would any other time, but I really am here to say a quick goodbye. I have to get home and back to work.” Melissa worked at a software design company.

“What about Dallas?”

She snorted and rolled her eyes. “He’s full of it. He’ll forget about me in a day or so.”

I bit my bottom lip and shook my head. “I honestly don’t think he will. Dallas is rough, stubborn, and gets what he wants. Like all the men in Hawks. He has his eyes set on you, and I can tell you now, when you get home, check over your shoulder because he won’t be far away to drag you back here.”

Her eyes softened, only to narrow. “I doubt it, and if he does, he’ll have a fight on his hands.”

Giggling, I said, “I think he’ll enjoy that.”

She smiled. “So will I. Now, come give me another hug. I’ve already said a goodbye to the others.”

“They’re here early,” I commented while hugging her.

“Yeah, they told me you’re moving back into your apartment with Saxon, which is bloody exciting, so they’re here to help.”

“Really?”

Her brows rose. “Yes, why?”

“It was only this morning when Saxontoldme he was going to be my new roommate.”

She threw her head back and laughed. “The Hawks men sure do know how to get what they want, no matter what.”

“Exactly.” I grinned.

Again, she rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I’ll miss you.”

“You won’t for long, if Dallas has anything to do with it.”

“We’ll see.”

“Yes, we will.” I nodded. She started for the door. “Melissa,” I called. She turned to face me, her hand on the handle. “I’ll miss you too, and thank you again.”

“Anything for a sister.” She smiled, winked, and walked out the door with a “See you on the flip side.”

“See you soon,” I whispered, because she was right. Hawks men did know how to get their way.

Chapter Twenty-Five

NARY

One week later

Saxon was my dreamcatcher. The nightmares were gone. I’d been sleeping like a baby, and every morning I woke with a smile because I had my man at my back. The night after we’d moved in, we spent it with friends talking and drinking. Then he tried to go into the spare room to sleep. I’d yelled. He’d cursed and stomped into our bedroom. At least he’d been stripping off his clothes and climbing intoourbed when I’d finally walked in.

He’d thought I would want to adjust being back in the apartment on my own. Stupid man didn’t get that the only thing helping me adjust faster was him at my side.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think Saxon and I could be as we were. We were living together, we were happy, and even through our arguments, I knew I was safe. While he would never be a man who brought flowers home, who took me to fancy places to eat, he still showed his devotion every single day. He was a simple man who enjoyed our time together watching movies, talking, and even spending time with our friends or family. He was perfect. Better than I’d imagined, and I had pictured a lot about what we could be.

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