Page 4 of Echo

“Violet doesn’t have a boyfriend,” Jeff argued, his eyes going wide.

Echo quirked a brow. “Not sure why you think you’re close enough to my girl to be in the loop on what’s going on in her life.”

“I keep an eye out for her. Make sure she’s safe.” Jeff puffed out his chest. “And I’ve never seen you around here before.”

“Unless you’re watching her twenty-four seven, then you’re bound to miss shit. Like me being in her life.” Echo shrugged. “Appreciate you looking out for my girl, but I have her covered from here. You can consider yourself relieved of duty.”

I shoved the key in the lock and yanked open the door before Jeff had the chance to reply. Then I tugged Echo into my apartment and slammed the door shut behind us. Turning to the sexy biker, I pressed a trembling hand against my chest. “Thank you so much for stepping in like that. Jeff was being even pushier than usual. I’m not sure how I would’ve convinced him that I didn’t need help getting my door unlocked while trying to juggle my groceries. And the last thing I want is him inside my apartment.”

“Happy to help.” His lips curved into a grin as he shifted one of the bags to his free arm. “Where do you want ’em?”

“Oh, um…just in the kitchen.” I was about to offer to take them from Echo when I glanced at the door and realized that if I rushed him out of my apartment, Jeff would get suspicious about him being my boyfriend. “Thanks.”

I followed him through the living room, relieved I’d cleaned this morning before heading out to run errands. Since I spent most of my time at home, the place usually looked very well lived in, but I had put most of the clutter away.

Echo’s biceps flexed as he placed the bags on the island and started to pull out the items I’d purchased. “You don’t need to do that. I have it.”

He stepped to the side, making room for me in the narrow space between the island and the stove and fridge. His focus remained on me while I emptied the bags and put everything away. “You a good baker?”

“I like to think so.”

My cheeks heated at the timing of him being in my apartment. Of course it had to happen when I did my quarterly restock of my baking supplies. A lot of people would’ve said something snide about how I didn’t need to eat stuff with the sugar, chocolate chips, and butter I’d bought. But Echo’s blue eyes heated as his gaze traveled down my curves.

“You know how to make brownies?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yup, but I’m a purist when it comes to them. They have to be fudgy, without anything extra like nuts, chocolate chips, or frosting.”

He chuckled, the deep sound sending a shiver of awareness down my spine. “I like ’em however the chef wants to make them.”

“I should bake you a batch as a thank you for rescuing me, Echo.”

“I wouldn’t turn them down,” he assured me. “But call me Brodie. Echo’s my road name.”

“Then I guess I know what I’ll be doing this afternoon, Brodie.” I padded over to the door and peered through the peephole. “The coast is clear. You should be good to head back to your apartment without Jeff seeing you. Just let me know which number you are so I can bring you those brownies later.”

“Appreciate you looking out for me.” His lips curved into a grin as he shrugged. “But I don’t live here.”

“You don’t?” I asked, my brows drawing together.

“Nope,” he confirmed with a shake of his head. “I was just in the right place at the right time to swoop in and rescue you.”

“Lucky me.” I probably should’ve felt at risk having a strange man in my apartment, but something about his presence was comforting.

“Glad you think so since I’m in this for the long haul. I hope you’re ready for our relationship to move to the next level because I’m moving in.”

3

ECHO

“Moving in?” Violet squeaked, her hands fluttering at her sides.

Satisfaction swept through me when I didn’t see a speck of fear in her gaze. There was apprehension but also a spark of excitement. I was confident that she felt the same chemistry as I did when I touched her.

I nodded as I took a step closer to her. “I need you.”

Violet’s breathing kicked up, and I held back a wicked smile. “Need me?”

I didn’t want to scare her away by going too fast, so I backed off even though it was the opposite of what I wanted to do. “I need your help to take down that asshole.”

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