Page 50 of Shadows of You

ROAN

Aspen’s jaw went slack.She had to open and close her mouth a few times before she could speak. “What?”

“Your couch. Gonna sleep on it for a while.”

She shook herself out of her stupor. “That’s not necessary.”

That muscle in my cheek ticked. “Think it might be. Those two haven’t left town yet.”

I’d done some digging after leaving Aspen’s and found out where they were staying. Took a little drive, and there was no packing up happening at their rental cabin. I would have to get Lawson involved for sure. But the idea of Aspen and Cady staying here alone in the meantime didn’t sit right.

“Mr. Grizz!” Cady yelled. “We’re having cocoa smash.”

I grimaced as I looked down at the contents of Aspen’s bowl. “What is that?”

She flushed. “It’s vanilla ice cream with hot chocolate powder.”

I winced. “You’re gonna go into a sugar coma before you finish.”

“Don’t knock it until you try it.”

I simply grunted.

Aspen clutched her bowl tighter. “You don’t need to stay. We’re fine.”

My back teeth ground together. “I could get Law to put a squad car on the house.”

She snapped her mouth closed.

“You’re staying?” Cady said hopefully, chocolate smeared all over her face as she popped up behind Aspen.

“Depends on what your mom says.” I arched a brow in challenge.

Aspen glared at me, only it didn’t have the desired effect. It only made her green eyes burn brighter and her lips purse in a way that made them look too damned kissable.

“I want a slumber party with Mr. Grizz!” Cady said as she hopped up and down. “Slumber party! Slumber party!”

“Cady…” Aspen warned gently.

“It’s all the sugar. They turn into little fiends,” I quipped.

Aspen shot me a death stare. “Yup, Mr. Grizz is staying, and he told me hereallywants a glitter manicure.”

“YEEEEEESSSSS!” Cady yelled as she skipped toward the hall. “I’m getting my stuff right now.”

My eyes narrowed on the too-gorgeous-for-her-own-good redhead. “Glitter manicure?” I gritted out.

Aspen shrugged. “Payback’s a bitch.” She shoved a bite of ice cream into her mouth. “And you don’t get any ice cream,” she mumbled around her bite.

A little of the chocolate dribbled onto her lip. My gut tightened as images of me licking chocolate off all sorts of places filled my mind.

“I’m trying to help,” I growled.

A bit of that anger and frustration melted away, and Aspen’s shoulders slumped. “I know. I’m sorry. I just—we’re used to taking care of ourselves. Having someone in our space isn’t normal.”

An invisible fist ground against my sternum like a mortar and pestle. I hated the defeated cast of her words. I’d take her fire any day. “We can’t always carry our own load. Sometimes, we need help. It doesn’t make us weak. It makes us human.”

Those green eyes connected with mine. “What about you? Do you let someone help carry your load?”

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