Page 98 of Property of Chaos

I glance out the window again and take a sip of water, swishing the liquid around my teeth before I swallow.

Theresa’s been out back long enough that I know she’ll be counting the day’s takings, which means she’s almost done here. I should go home. Find that asshole cat and force him to be the emotional support animal he’s purported to be.

Instead, I set the water down with a clink, frozen in place as Chaos jogs across the street, head turning to check traffic as he moves. He’s the picture of divine masculinity, the drool-worthy swell of his forearms enough to spike my heart rate, never mind the ink framing the thick column of his throat or the way the ends of his hair wisp against his jaw and neck, belted jeans sitting dangerously low on his hips…Jesus—stop already.

Chaos reaches the pavement and looks toward the cafe, brow furrowed when his gaze meets mine.

I shoot from the seat and unlock the deadbolt to let him in before he breaks his fucking way through.

“I told you that you should run from this mess,” I sass, masking my anxiety the best way I know how.

He reaches for me as I step backward, hands cradling my face as he searches my gaze. “Are you okay?”

I swallow, captivated by his fucking eyes, before dropping my gaze to his lips and frowning. “What happened?”

His tongue peeks out, touching at the fresh split. “Nothing.”

“Suppose you’re going to tell me you walked into a door next.” I pull from his hold. Why can’t he be honest with me?

Chaos wraps a firm hand around my waist, snaring me mid-step and pulling my back flush to his front. Warm breath tickles my neck. “Why didn’t you answer my message?”

“Why didn’t you just ask your spy what I was doing if you were so concerned?” I set my hands on his thick forearm, tilting my head a little to peer at him over my shoulder.

His lips brush my temple as he murmurs, “I did.”

Silence falls between us. I slip my eyes closed when he nuzzles behind my ear, a satisfied growl vibrating against my back.God, I need this.I need him.

“I couldn’t get my words straight,” I explain, leaning into his embrace. “I needed to calm my nerves first.”

He snakes his free arm across my chest, fingers finding home against my throat as he delicately strokes my jawline with his thumb. “Is that the only reason why?”

“If I’d sent you something that didn’t make sense, you would have freaked out.”

He huffs a laugh. “Like I did anyway?”

It’s comforting having him nuzzle against me. Intimate.Safe.

“What were you doing?”

He pushes my head aside with his nose and kisses behind my ear. “When?”

“Just now. Across the street.”

“Nothing.”

“For fuck’s sake, Chaos.”

“Vanessa?”

I smack his arm around my middle, pushing free. “Stop fucking with me. What were you doing?”

He frowns at my aggressive stance. “What does it matter?”

“Does it have anything to do with me?” I lift an eyebrow.

He folds his arms, accentuating the swell of his chest.So not fair to play that card.

“It does. Doesn’t it?”

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