Page 11 of Chains
Chains glanced at Salem, then back at me.“Maybe they know I’m not going anywhere.”
The words hung between us, loaded with meaning I wasn’t sure he intended.Our eyes locked, and something electric passed between us.I felt my cheeks warm under his gaze.
“I mean,” he clarified, breaking eye contact, “living across the hall and all.”He narrowed his gaze as he glanced at Lucifer.“Got my eyes on you, buddy.”
“Right.”I didn’t try to smother my smile.“Neighbors.Because you don’t trust my cats.”
Binx stood up on Chains’ lap, stretching before settling back down, this time with his head tucked under Chains’ hand.The big man looked down at the cat with a mixture of confusion and something that might have been affection.
“Traitor,” I whispered to Binx, who ignored me completely, content in his new friend’s lap.
Chains looked up, catching my eye again.This time, he held my gaze longer.I felt that look like a physical caress.
“Maybe black cats aren’t such bad luck after all,” he said quietly.
My breath caught.There was something magnetic about him, something that made the air between us feel charged with electricity.The words made my pulse flutter, and I found myself leaning forward slightly, drawn to him like a moth to flame.“Maybe not,” I agreed, my voice barely above a whisper.My heart hammered against my ribs as his gaze dropped briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes.The air in the room seemed to thicken, charged with an energy that made my skin tingle.
Chains shifted on the couch, careful not to disturb Binx, but the movement brought him closer to the edge of the cushions.Closer to me.I caught the scent of leather and motor oil that clung to him, mixed with something distinctly masculine that made my stomach flutter.
“You have a scar,” I said before I could stop myself, gesturing vaguely toward his temple.
His hand instinctively went to the mark, fingers brushing against it briefly.“Bar fight.Long time ago.”
“Did you win?”
The corner of his mouth twitched.“Yeah.I fuckin’ won.”
“I bet you were a handful when you were younger.”
“Still am,” he replied, and something in his tone made my stomach flip.
I cleared my throat.“Want something to drink?”I needed something to do with my hands.“I’ve got, um… water.”
“I’m good,” he said, glancing at his watch.“I should go,” he said suddenly, his voice rougher than before.But he didn’t move.Neither did I.
“Should you?”The question slipped out before I could stop it, breathier than I intended.
His jaw tightened, and I watched the internal war play out across his features.Whatever battle was being fought behind those steel-blue eyes, I found myself hoping the side that wanted to stay would win.
“Thanks for letting me meet them properly,” he said.“Even if that one still wants to claw my eyes out.”He nodded toward Lucifer, who hissed on cue.Binx, as if sensing the change in mood, stood up and stretched before hopping off Chains’ lap.He gave the man one last rub against his leg before sauntering over to join Lucifer in the corner.
Chains stood, his height even more impressive as he unfolded from my couch.I rose too, not wanting to feel smaller than I already did beside him.
“Thanks for coming in,” I said, moving toward the door.“Not many people would humor my invitation to meet three cats they clearly didn’t like.”
“They’re not so bad,” he admitted, following me.His voice had dropped lower, rougher around the edges.“Even the demon one.”
I laughed.“Don’t let Lucifer hear you say that.He has a reputation to maintain.”
We reached the door, and I was painfully aware of how close we stood.I could smell the leather of his cut, the faint scent of motor oil, and something warmer, something spicy and uniquely him.My pulse quickened, blood rushing in my ears as I looked up to find Chains staring down at me.
His full attention sent a thrill through me.The silence stretched between us, heavy and electric.I felt myself drawn to him like gravity had shifted in the small space between our bodies.His steel-blue eyes held mine, and I saw something flicker there.Want, maybe?Confusion?My heart hammered so hard I was sure he could hear it.
“Ellie,” he said, my name rough on his tongue.
“Yeah?”I breathed.
His hand came up, fingers hovering near my cheek like he wanted to touch but wasn’t sure he should.The hesitation in his movement made my chest tight.This big, intimidating man who could probably break someone in half was being so careful with me.
