Page 22 of Breaker

My breath caught in my throat, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. The air between us felt charged, electric, and I found myself leaning closer, drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

But just as our lips were about to meet, the sound of laughter from inside the clubhouse broke the spell. Breaker pulled back, a rueful smile on his face.

“We should probably head back inside,” he said, his voice rough with an emotion I couldn’t quite place.

I nodded, disappointment warring with relief in my chest. As much as I wanted him, as much as I wondered what it would be like to kiss him, I knew rushing into something would only lead to heartbreak.

We had time. Time to get to know each other, to build a foundation of trust and understanding. And maybe, just maybe, time to fall in love.

As we walked back into the clubhouse and rejoined the group, I was surprised to find that my earlier anxiety had faded, replaced by a tentative sense of belonging. The warmth and acceptance of the club members had begun to chip away at my fears, and I found myself laughing and chatting with ease.

Raven pulled me aside, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “So, you and Breaker… you both disappeared.”

I felt my cheeks heat up, and I ducked my head, unable to meet her gaze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Raven just laughed, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Sure, you don’t. Just be careful, okay? The men here have a way of knocking up the women they like, even when they aren’t trying. So if you aren’t cautious, you might end up pregnant.”

I nodded, trying not to freak out over the thought of having a baby. As the evening wound down, I found myself yawning, the events of the day finally catching up with me. Breaker noticed, and he made his way over to me, his hand resting lightly on my elbow.

“You ready to head home?” he asked, his voice soft and gentle.

I nodded, grateful for the excuse to leave. As much as I had enjoyed getting to know everyone, I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

The walk back to Breaker’s house was quiet. I leaned into him, my cheek resting against his bicep, and let my mind wander.

I thought about the future, about the possibilities stretching out before me like an uncharted path. I knew there would be obstacles, that the road ahead wouldn’t be easy.

As we walked up the driveway, Breaker took my hand.

“Thank you for tonight. Even though I was scared, I had a good time.”

“Anytime, darlin’,” he said, his drawl sending shivers down my spine.

Inside, I made my way to the room I’d been using, my body heavy with exhaustion. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and put on my pajamas. As I settled into bed, my mind drifted once more to Breaker, to the way he made me feel safe and cherished.

I knew there was still so much I didn’t know about him, so much that we needed to talk about. But for now, I was content to let myself drift off to sleep, my heart full of hope and possibility.

My head sank into the pillow as my body settled into the soft mattress. The weight of the day’s events began to dissipate, replaced by a growing sense of contentment. In the darkness, I could still picture the faces of my new family -- their warm smiles, their genuine laughter.

But it was Breaker’s face that lingered most vividly in my mind. His rugged features softened by a gentle smile, his intense brown eyes that seemed to see right into my soul. In just a few short days, he had become my anchor, my protector, my… what exactly? The thought made my heart flutter in a way I’d never experienced before.

I rolled onto my side, hugging the extra pillow close to my chest. As I inhaled deeply, I caught the faint scent of Breaker’s cologne lingering on the pillowcase. A warmth spread through me, starting in my chest and radiating outward until even my fingertips tingled with anticipation.

Was this what falling in love felt like? The thought both thrilled and terrified me. Love had never been a part of my plan, never even seemed like a possibility for someone like me. But now, with Breaker, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

As sleep began to tug at the edges of my consciousness, I felt a smile curve my lips. My last thought before drifting off was of Breaker, and the promise of what tomorrow might bring. For once, I wasn’t afraid of the unknown. I was ready to embrace it, with Breaker by my side.

Chapter Ten

Breaker

I felt the tension hanging thick in the air between Juniper and me, like an invisible wall keeping us apart even as we moved through the same spaces of the Hades Abyss compound. It gnawed at my gut, an uneasy feeling I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Over the past few days, I’d noticed the subtle changes in her -- the way her gaze would skitter away from mine like a spooked horse, how she’d linger hesitantly in doorways as if debating whether to enter a room I occupied.

Replaying our interactions in my mind, I searched for any clue to explain the growing distance, any misstep on my part that could have caused this rift. But I kept coming up empty. Watching her now from across the living room, I saw Juniper curl in on herself on the worn leather sofa, making her already small frame seem even more fragile. A fierce protectiveness surged through me, tightening my chest.

I approached slowly, easing down beside her. She tensed but didn’t pull away. Progress.

“Hey, Juni,” I said softly, using the nickname I’d given her when she first arrived. “What’s going on in that head of yours? You know you can talk to me, right?”

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