Page 29 of Iron Hearts

Instead, I was fixated on the warmth of Striker’s hand smoothing up and down my arm as he closed his eyes, too.

* * *

“Rarity!”my mother called and I jumped out of bed, my feet hitting the floor as she tried my doorknob. “Why is this door locked?” she called out, bewildered.

I went and cracked it open, standing in the way. “Jeez, Mom, I don’t know. I’m twenty-four and trying to spend some quality time with my vibe and didn’t want you walking in?” I rolled my eyes. I knew I was flushed with embarrassment at having to lie, yet again, to my mother, whom I loved and adored, but for real – I didn’t want her stressing any more than she already did.

“TMI!” she cried. “TMI! I don’t need to know these things!”

I snickered and asked, “What’s up?”

“I’m heading into work. Grandma and Grandpa will be home sometime today. Are you good to watch the boys?”

“Of course!” I said, then asked, “They up?”

“Not yet.” She sighed. “I’m trying to get out of here before they do, and I have one attached to each leg and the third hanging like an albatross from my neck, begging me to stay home.”

I snickered again and said, “Go!Be free!”

I heard my bathroom door click faintly, and I rattled my doorknob on purpose to cover it, opening my door to give my mom a hug before she went out the door.

“I love you, my sweet girl,” she said with a gusty sigh.

“I love you, too, Mom.” I hugged her tight.

“Okay, I’ve got to go,” she said.

“I’ll have dinner on the table,” I told her.

“You’re a lifesaver,” she said as she went to the door between our rooms and out to the garage through our laundry room.

A second later, I heard the garage door trundle open and her truck fire up.

My shoulders sagged in relief.

“Coast is clear,” I said when the garage door was making its descent.

He came out of my bathroom in his jeans and boots, his cut on over his bare chest.

“You got the kiddos to look after,” he said. “Idefinitelygot shit to do.”

“Yeah,” I said, feeling almost sad that he had to go.

“Can I see you again?” he asked, and I raised my chin.

“I don’t see why not,” I said. “You know where I work. Maybe next time, just follow the rules and don’t wear your colors, yeah?”

He chuckled and nodded.

“Surprised you’re going back,” he said.

I shrugged. “After something like that, it’s probably the safest place I can be.”

“Aw yeah, how do you figure?”

“Cops are going to be keeping an eye on things, and you know security is going to be doubled if not quadrupled for the time being. They don’t want to get shut down any longer than they have to be.”

“Fair points, but are you sure?” he asked.

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