Page 48 of Matched into the Mob

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” Ranger asked.

“Plenty.”

“And what have you decided?”

I took his hand and placed it over my heart, putting my marked palm on top. “Feel that? It beats so fast, Ranger.”

“Is that normal or should I make a doctor’s appointment?” He grinned, and I considered wiping it off by kissing him.

“It’s your fault my heart is racing.”

“Sorry, but that could be a sign of fear or love. Or perhaps you need a heart transplant.”

My head fell back on the sofa. “Are you taking this seriously?”

His smile faded. “Absolutely.”

“How would this work? I know nothing about you. Where do you live?”

“In an apartment in the city.”

“Me too.” That was probably where the similarity ended. “What’s the view from your place?”

“A park.”

“Mine’s a brick wall.”

“A very dirty one.”

“You’ve been there,” I hollered. “More evidence of stalking.”

He held up both hands. “Guilty.”

“Bedrooms?”

“Yes, I have those.”

“The number.” I rolled my eyes.

“Four, plus a study.”

It occurred to me he might not live alone. “Why do you need so many? You can only sleep in one bed at a time.” I had a vision of an omega in every room and Ranger flitting from one to the other during the night.

He shrugged. “Family. They arrive en masse sometimes.”

“One for me, and a bathroom with a leaky faucet.” I braced myself for the number of bathrooms in his place.

“I can fix that.”

“The leak?” If he was as handy with other tools as he supposedly was with a wrench, he could fix a lot of stuff in my apartment.

“Nah, you live with me, and ta-da, no dripping faucet.”

We lived in different worlds, not just human and shifter but rich and struggling to pay the rent.

“You need more time, and I’m sorry if I’m pushing you.” He stroked my hand.

Dane was after me, and if Ranger and his family couldn’t protect me, my time was running out. If I didn’t live to see another sunrise, I should grasp every chance at happiness and hold on tight.

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