Page 15 of Dane's War

Fucking hell.

“If you want, I’ll even just order up a pizza from in town. We’ll pull up a movie and we can watch it here,” I offer, not that I wanted to do that. I don’t need to have to deal with her dad or brother. Not when I’mtrying to get her to know me. Bandit would be all up in my shit because she’s his sister and not my biggest fan.

Raine brings her eyes back to me, and I can see the uncertainty in them. Still, she nods. “Fine, I’ll go to dinner with you, but I don’t want to go out. We also can’t do that here.”

“How about pizza and a movie at my place?” The suggestion comes out before I can stop myself, and her eyes widen. “Not gonna do shit to make you uncomfortable,dolcezza. For one, you’re hurt. You don’t need that shit. I just want you to get to know me. We also have some things we need to talk about. For another, you’re not ready for me. With you being Bandit’s sister, with what he said last night in front of you, you gotta know the man/wolf/shifter that is me. I won’t force myself on you or fuck with you to get you in my bed. You gotta want to do that on your own.”

“Okay,” her answer comes out immediately. Almost like she said it before stopping herself.

“You wanna go now? Or want me to come pick you back up later?”

“I’m not dressed for a date,” she mutters.

Glancing at what she’s wearing, liking the sight of her in shorty shorts that, if she stood, probably would barely cover her ass and the tank top. I already noticed the tank top and the fact she wasn’t wearing a bra. Herhair was in a messy bun on top of her head like she’d just thrown it up and didn’t care what anyone thought.

I didn’t hide my grin as I tell her, “Doesn’t matter. Not like we’re gonna go out. We’ll order in. Have a movie marathon, whatever you want. And you’re dressed to be relaxed, so you’re good with what you got on.”

Her dressed this way will be total torture but so long as she’s comfortable and it’s not hurting her, then so fucking be it. I’ll endure it for her.

Chapter Eleven

Raine

I’m insane.

Certifiably insane.

No way in hell should I be going to Dane’s house, with Dane on his bike.

To my surprise, walking out of the house with him to his bike, I saw my car sitting in the driveway. He had it dropped off by one of his brothers before even bringing the flowers into my parents’ home.

A part of me really liked the fact he fixed my car for me. Another part didn’t know what to think at all. He didn’t have to fix it. Or even get it back to me. I knew my dad and brother were going to handle it. At least, I thought they were going to.

The whole way to Dane’s place, I kept telling myself I shouldn’t have left the house. I shouldn’t be on the back of his bike. I shouldn’t enjoy the feel of pressing up against him. I shouldn’t feel anything toward him, but I do. I feel lots of things, all of them confusing and conflicting inside me. I don’t know what to think . . . to do . . . it’s more than a little nutty in my head right now. I mean, seriously, Dane is the hottest man/shifter. It doesn’t matter how someone wants to classify him. Regardless, he’s the hottest I’d ever seen in my life. His voice alone sends tingles down my spine, going right down between my legs. No man has ever sent instant shockwaves to my nether region, and it freaks me out that he’s able to do so.

Dane rode easily down the twists and turns of the curvy road, slowing only when needing to. He comes to a near stop and turns onto a dirt path, which at the end of it I find a house sitting. It’s not just a house but a log cabin. One that looks beautiful and familiar to me. Which is weird since I’ve never in my life seen it before.

The log cabin was situated in the middle of a clearing surrounded by trees. It was a beautiful setting around the cabin. Off to the side and a bit past the cabin looks to be a garage with a carport.

Dane slows, rounds the house, and, yep, it’s acarport. He comes to a stop, kicks the stand down, and then glances over his shoulder.

“Need help getting off?”

I knew what he meant, but that question went through my head in several different scenarios. He’s going to need to not ask questions like that.

Clearing my throat, I answer while shaking my head. “I’ve got it.”

Barely.

I do everything I can to hide the pain of moving while climbing off the back of his bike. But I manage to do so, though I don’t miss the rumbling growl that comes from Dane.

Dane shifts off the back of his bike, takes my hand, and guides me into the house. A strange feeling comes over me at the thought of the two of us being alone, no one around. I’d even left my phone at the house, not by choice, but by accident. I’m sure if I needed to, I could ask Dane to take me back for it. However, I know all the numbers by heart that I need to know. Plus, I’m pretty sure if my parents need to get in touch with me, they’ll be able to find Dane’s number. I’d left a note with my mom letting her know where I was going, not that I needed to. It’s just the polite thing to do.

I shove the thoughts aside as Dane unlocks theback door of his cabin and steps inside ahead of me, nose to the air, ensuring that no one is there besides us. I’d seen my dad do this all the time growing up.

Satisfied, Dane draws me deeper into the house. I scan the room, taking in the fact it didn’t look like a bachelor’s pad. It actually looked beautiful in its rustic decor.There were barn-style doors for cabinets. The table off to the side of his kitchen looked hand-crafted. Like he’d gone outside, chopped the tree down, and then carved it himself.

Dane lets me go and moves to the fridge that wasn’t rustic looking at all. It was stainless steel with two doors and a freezer section at the bottom. “You want a beer?” he asks.

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