Page 61 of Pain in the Axe
He was fiercely protective, and I respected that. It eased my soul a little to know that she had people looking out for her. Not that it surprised me. She was incredible. How could people not flock to her?
I just wanted to be one of her people. Her person, really.
The more time I spent near her, learning about the person she had become over the past twenty years, the more I fell in love with her all over again.
Because the woman I’d known all those years ago? She was perfect and amazing.
But this woman, standing a few feet away laughing, was so much more. I was desperate for a chance to show her I could be more too. That I was a better man now.
“She’s not invincible,” he warned.
I nodded.
“Now you have to answer a question for me. Why do you call her Dragonfly? She refuses to tell me.”
I put my hands behind my head, looking up at the stars. “Easy. Dragonflies are these beautiful and delicate-looking creatures. You look at a dragonfly and see iridescent shimmer and gossamer wings. But they’re deadly. The most effective predators on earth. Cunning, protective, fierce. All wrapped in a beautiful package.”
Karl let out a huge sigh. “I want to hate you Beast, but you’re making it very hard.”
“I get that a lot,” I replied, holding back a smirk.
As one o’clock approached and guests were heading out, I helped coordinate rides for those who’d been drinking, and I kept an eye on Chloe. I’d spent most of the night walking around, cleaning up, and chatting with folks. I’d expected strange looks from her guests, but no one seemed surprised to see me there. It was a relief not to have to stumble through an explanation. At one point during the evening, I’d ended up in an hour-long friendly debate with JJ over sapling management.
Celine had drunkenly retired to one of the guest bedrooms, and JJ and Karl had wandered back to their cottages not long ago. As the last of the guests left, I found a trash bag under the kitchen sink and gathered up the cups and plates and napkins still scattered around the patio. It was late, but the outdoor lighting made the space feel cozy and highlighted the water views.
I’d never been the showy type, but this house was incredible.
“Figures you’d buy the most expensive house in town.”
Chloe, who was busy collecting empty bottles, scoffed. “I like the lake.”
“The gate is a little much, though.”
“How else am I supposed to keep you out?”
The glare she hit me with sent a zing of electricity shooting up my spine.
This.
This was what had been missing from my life. Excitement, flirtation, a woman who barely tolerated me. It was the middle of the damn night, and one glare could power me through a marathon.
“You can try,” I murmured, keeping my voice low, “but we both know I’ll never stay away.”
She turned her back on me. “Says the guy who abandoned his wife,” she mumbled.
I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out. That was not even remotely close to what had happened. But the last thing I wanted was to fight with Chloe on her birthday. At some point, we’d have to rehash what had gone down all those years ago. Preferably after she agreed to marry me again.
Instead, I focused my attention on cleaning up. As I worked, gathering empty bottles and straightening the deck chairs, I could feel her attention on me.
When the space looked acceptable, I grabbed two bottles of water from the small fridge at the outdoor bar and walked over to where she was sitting, staring out at the lake.
She wordlessly took the water I held out, and I sat down, stretching my legs on one of the lounge-style chairs that were angled at the dock.
We sat like that for a while, listening to the chirping crickets and the soft movement of the water.
“I opened your gift,” she said, never taking her eyes off the water. “Dr Pepper Lip Smackers?”
I smirked. “That was your favorite flavor. I used to love kissing it off you.”
