Page 99 of Electric Touch

“We can have it on the bus in front of everyone.”

“Dude, look, I know you and everyone else are gonna think I’m moving too fast, but… Adrestia isn’t like other women.”

“Well, you’re right there,” he smirks again.

“Fuck off,” I punch his arm, his insinuation crystal fucking clear. I already know the rest of the guys think she’s hot. Right now is the wrong time to rile me up about it. “There is more to her. I could listen to her talk for hours. She’s thoughtful, funny, smart as hell.”

“Can’t be that smart getting involved with a rebound.” He holds up his hands when I turn on him. “Just saying. I agree with you, she is a really great girl, all the things you said. Will she deserve it if you decide it was a rebound relationship and want to move on?”

“Won’t happen.”

The elevator lands with what feels like a massive jolt and the doors whoosh open. I hurry out, but Dylan is right on my heels. Declan is at the desk doing the checkout.

“How can you be so sure? And, Adrestia’s feelings aside, are you really sure this is what you want?”

I stop and pinch the bridge of my nose. He’s like an incessant fly buzzing around my face. No amount of swatting will make him shut up. “You’re not the guy who gets involved long term with a woman, Dyl.”

“Got that right,” he scoffs.

“And that is fine, because that is you. This is me. I didn’t expect this either. I know what everyone is going to say about it, but I don’t care. She means a lot to me and I don’t plan on stopping seeing her or ruining it.”

“Okay, I get it,” Dylan eyes my expression. “I like her. The little time I’ve spent with her, I can see the appeal. Not just how she looks,” he hastens to add. “She has this weird way of putting you at ease, like… nothing fazes her. She knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to grab it by the balls.”

I didn’t realise my brother spent that much time thinking about it. It’s not in a sleazy way.

“Just be careful, alright? I know you.” He holds up his hands again before I can tell him to shut it. “You enjoy being with just one woman. All I’m saying is, go slow. If you guys both feel the same, then good. I’m glad for you. Just be honest with yourself. And her.”

Dylan leaves me to give Dec the keycards. I head to the seats by the exit to get some fresh air. Despite all of those warnings and worries my brother has, he likes her. Knowing that helps solidify in my head, she is worth it.

It may be too quick and things might not work out. Caring what other people think will not change anything.

I can’t wait to see her. I’ve missed her this past week. To me, that says everything.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Adrestia opens the door with a towel wrapped around her arm. Before I can even say hello, I notice the blood.

“Shit, what happened?” I set the jacket I’d been carrying down on the chair and take her arm, concern rippling through me.

“I adopted Satan,” she says.

“What?” I ask. “Let me see this.” I take the towel away to find scratches up her arm. Some are angry red welts, but others are deep and bleeding. Adrestia winces as I hold her arm to get a better look.

“I adopted a cat.”

I pause and look up at her. “Why?”

“I’m asking myself that same question,” she groans.

I glance around, but see no signs of a cat. “Where is it?”

“Hiding somewhere. I lost track of it about twenty minutes ago.” She walks to the kitchen and after closing the front door, I follow. “It’s waiting until I go to sleep, then it’s going to come out and murder me.”

I laugh. “It can’t be that bad. It’s just a cat.”

“Just a cat,” she shows me her arm again.

“Fuck, do you have a first aid kit? Cat scratches can be dangerous if you don’t clean them up.”

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