Page 16 of Savage Behavior

“I am,” a wide smile spread across my face.

“Are you feeling okay? Are the drugs still affecting your brain?” she stood up, putting her hand on my forehead as if she were checking for a fever.

“That smile is creepy, being that I've never seen you smile over a guy, like ever”

“Yes, you lil bish, I feel fine. Listen, I can’t explain what it is, but every bone in my body never lets me settle, never allows me to feel safe. With Derek, there is this unexplainable comfort I got from knowing he was always watching over me,” I had to be careful how I said things because even though Krista knew some of this life, I shielded her from a lot of it. When she gets claimed one day, if she did, then I would be honest about some of the things I had to do to keep her safe. For now, I was deciding to shield her still.

“With Derek, I feel like I can stop running and fighting. I know he’ll have my back. I don’t know how to explain my sureness, and trust me, it scares me. But, for a couple of years, I've bet on him. He hasn’t let me down yet and especially recently. I feel like he’s the one.” She giggled.

“I know, I know, it’s fucking dumb. Ugh,” I groaned. “I’m so stupid.”

“No, Britt, you aren’t stupid, and it’s not dumb. It’s, “she paused, her finger on her chin as she thought about what to say next, “cute.”

“Fuck me! That’s worse, Krista,” she giggled again, “I in no fucking way want to be associated with the word cute.”

“Well, too bad. Now let’s get ready because after the headache I woke up with, we deserve a day of pampering, and it’s time you find a man that can pay up; well, it’s about time you find a man, period.”

I smacked her ass hard as she headed up the stairs, and she squealed and ran up them faster.

“I’ll have to leave right after I have something I need to take care of alone.”

She looked back at me, her face telling me she knew something was up but didn’t know exactly what. “Are you sure I can def come with you?”

“Nah, I’m good. Trust me, you will be bored out of your mind. Besides, I heard Ryder and a bunch of the Knights are going to be in the square I'll meet you there. What I have to do shouldn’t take long.”

“Okay, I can’t wait to see Ryder. God, he is so freaking hot!” for the next hour, I heard her dote on her crush, and I listened happily. I pulled up my texting app, and I didn’t even know what I was doing or if this was what I should be doing, but I was trying here. I hated this, mostly because I felt vulnerable; everyone knew vulnerability was a weakness. Some part of me, deep down, felt that Derek wouldn’t use my vulnerabilities against me. He made me feel like I was his equal without saying anything. It was a vibe I just knew. Maybe that’s why I had pursued him, hoping he wanted me back. I knew he had to feel it, too, because I knew first-hand he had never been with anyone in a real way ever.

I started typing before my brain could catch up.

Me: hey, caveman, just letting you know…

I typed and erased the message multiple times. I felt so weird checking in. It goes against everything I had been taught, everything I knew.

Suddenly, I see him typing.

Caveman: Go take care of business. You don’t have to tell me every single thing; I know you enough to know you got this. Besides, I’m always watching, so I’ll know if you need me.

Me: Stalker

Caveman: you’re so CUTE

Me: asshole.

Caveman: yeah, but I’m YOUR asshole.

Me: I think I like that.

Caveman: you do.

Caveman: that’s why I’m able to make that pretty pussy glisten

I clenched my thighs together. This man was made just for me. I knew it in my bones.

I typed the words I wasn’t sure I could say.

Me: I want you to claim me.

Caveman: you sure?

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