Page 87 of The Devil's Weakness

“No, thank you. I appreciate the offer, though,” I tell him.

And I do. He’s been incredibly sweet and supportive over the last ten hours. I never expected it. After I got over the initial shock of someone trying to break into my house last night, I saw the effort that he was putting into taking care of me. Making sure I was safe and cared for.

It’s been too long since I’ve had someone around doing that. I can’t even tell you the last time someone tried to cook me food. Or bring me soup when I didn’t feel well.

Steve’s offered here and there, but I always turn him down. Mostly because I don’t want to feel like I’m taking advantage of him. But I don’t feel that way with Blade. It’s just…different.

“Okay.” He shrugs his shoulders, and I narrow my eyes at him.

He places a soft kiss on my lips and walks toward the front of my apartment. He gave up too quickly, and it makes me paranoid. He left too easily yesterday and ended up coming back. I can only imagine which part of my day he’s going to show up in today.

“Oh.” He turns before walking outside. Here it is; this is the other shoe dropping, I’m sure of it. “I put my number in your phone last night. I have yours now, too. So, if you need anything, just holler.”

“How did you—”

“I just held it up to your face while you were sleeping, and it unlocked,” he winks and is out the door before I have time to yell at him.

My mouth drops open, but I’m speechless. I grab my phone off of the top of my dresser and unlock it. Pulling up my contacts, I begin scrolling through them. He’s not listed underBfor Blade. I check theC’s for Carson, but he’s not there either. I keep scrolling until I get to theT’s, and I finally see it. It’s the only contact listed…

The Best Sex I’ve Ever Had.

I roll my eyes harder than I ever have before, but I can’t keep the smile off of my face. He may be right, but I’ll never tell him that. His head would get too big, and he wouldn’t be able to fit through the door anymore.

Thinking back to the way he took care of me last night, I get an idea. I click on his name and begin a new text message.

Me: I’ll agree to a brief trial-period relationship.

The Best Sex I’ve Ever Had: How romantic.

I roll my eyes, smiling.

Me: But it has to be kept private. At least for now.

The Best Sex I’ve Ever Had: I accept, but Sasha…

The Best Sex I’ve Ever Had: It won’t be private for long. There will come a day, soon, when this entire town knows exactly who you belong to.

Me: Now who’s being romantic? You don’t own me. It’s a partnership.

The Best Sex I’ve Ever Had: Mine.

The Best Sex I’ve Ever Had: Today.

The Best Sex I’ve Ever Had: Tomorrow.

The Best Sex I’ve Ever Had: Forever.

It goes against everything that I believe in, but there’s no denying that hisownershipof me sends fire through my body.

* * *

It feels reallynice getting back to work. Like my life has some semblance of normalcy again. I’d gotten to the diner a little later than I wanted to, just after the morning rush was over. Our food delivery arrived shortly after I did, and I’ve been in the back for the last couple of hours checking it in and putting it away. By the time I’m finished with that, my apron is a mess. As I grab a new apron from the hook on the wall, I hear the bells over the door jingle. Focused on tying it around my waist, I don’t see who it is that walked in.

“Hey, Toni? I’ll take the next—” finishing my knot, I finally look up at her, and I stop dead in my tracks. “—table.”

My eyes go wide as they lock on Blade, Cap, and Hawk, following Toni to one of her tables. Standing there like an idiot, speechless, with my mouth hanging open, I don’t know what to do.

What the fuck are they doing here?

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