Page 77 of Cowboy Bull's Promise

I fucking know.

She heard everything.

“Arliss—”

“Shit,” Max mutters, dragging a hand down his face.

She blinks, and it’s like I can see her trying to piece it together. Trying to pretend she’s not shaking.

“Hi, everyone. Sorry to interrupt. Um, I’m Arliss. C-can someone drive me home? I have to get tea for my Gramps.”

Her voice is small. Cracked.

I take a step forward, every instinct roaring to close the distance.

“Wait. I’ll take you,” I say.

Desperate.

Hopeful.

Mostly pathetic.

But she flinches.

Flinches.

And the motion guts me.

“No, uh, thanks. I—I think it would be better if someone else drives me.”

Her voice breaks at the end.

And so do I.

“Fuck. Arliss, please—” I take another step, but she moves back.

Hits the barn door with her elbow and yelps.

My Bull screams inside me, raging that she’s hurt because of me.

Because she’s scared of me.

And I am two seconds from falling apart.

Dante steps in.

Good Bear, my Bull says.

He’s right. The man is solid, quiet, safe.

“I got her, Kian. I’ll take her home.”

He turns to her, softer than I’ve ever seen him.

“We met before. I’ll get my mate and cub. We’ll drive you back to town, okay?”

Arliss nods, trembling.

---