Page 15 of Under an Endless Moon

I forced all the need down and rolled my eyes the way I’d done back at Kane’s.

“I’m perfectly capable of walking to the door by myself, Otto. Look at me, such a big girl with my own keys and everything.”

It was pure sarcasm as I dug into my tiny bag that hung on my hip and pulled my keys out as proof, dangling them between us.

A rough chuckle skated out of him. “And what happens if you slip on those ridiculous heels and break your neck?”

I huffed as I started up the walkway toward the front door. “Then I guess River will find me in the morning when he wakes up. And ridiculous? I don’t know what nonsense you speak of. I look amazing in these heels.”

I started up the three steps to the wraparound porch that circled the entire house. Otto was right behind. Every step he took was an earthquake that reverberated through me.

“That you do, darlin’, but they look about as dangerous as the lives we lead, and since I promised your brother that I’d get you home safely, that means I’m going to get you all the way. Not going anywhere until you’re locked tight behind that door.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I grumbled. “The promises you make my brother. I see where your loyalties lay and how little I have to say about any of it.”

I tried to force the teasing into my words and keep the hurt out, and I turned away from him and started to put the key into the lock.

A short gasp rocked out of me when he took me by the wrist and spun me toward him. Rays of moonlight rippled in behind him, his giant frame covering me like a shield. The breath was ripped out of my lungs when he reached out and ran his fingertips down my cheek.

“You fuckin’ count, Raven. Count more than anyone else.”

My stomach twisted and my heart careened. God, why did he have to say things like that? Make me feel like I was the most important person in his life before he turned around and broke my heart when he would leave some bar with another woman?

But it was times like these when I thought…

I blinked to stop the stupid train of thought. I was moving beyondthat. Beyond him. It was time. I just had to figure out exactly what direction I was going to go.

I turned back around and finished unlocking the door, and I pushed it open to the darkness radiating from inside. I stepped through before I shifted to look at him from over my shoulder.

“Here I am. All safe and sound.”

“Only way I want you.” There was a softness to his voice when he said it.

“Goodnight, Otto. Thanks for giving me a ride home.”

He wore that easy, casual grin, though I swore there was a storm brewing in the depths of his blue, blue eyes. “It’s my pleasure, darlin’. I’ll see you soon.”

I paused, unable to let him go before I whispered, “Be safe.”

My chest clutched when he reached out and hooked his pinky with mine. He swung it between us, his voice low when he murmured, “Promise.”

It felt like a full minute passed before he released me and rocked back on the heels of his boots as he shoved big, tatted hands into the pockets of his jeans. He remained planted, just wearing that grin, until I shut the door and locked it between us.

With the separation, I breathed out a strained breath and attempted to pull all the frayed edges he always left me with back together. To stitch myself up and mend the pieces he always left undone.

When I heard his motorcycle kick over, I crossed the foyer to the curved staircase that led to the second floor. I kept my footsteps quieted as I went. The landing was dark when I hit the top, and I crept to my bedroom that was down the hall on the left.

I slipped inside, closed the door, and moved across my room as I wound the strap of my bag off my shoulder and tossed it onto my bed. I peeled myself out of the heels that I had to admit were kind of ridiculous but in the best way, then slinked out of my skirt and corset before I pulled on a tank top and sleep shorts.

I stole back out into the bathroom that was next to Nolan’s room, brushed my teeth and washed my face, then padded back into my room and crawled into bed.

The second I climbed under the covers, my phone buzzed from my purse. I grinned when I saw who it was from, the nickname I’d given him long ago saved in my phone.

Burly Bear

You all snug and tucked in?

Talk about ridiculous.

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