Page 83 of Toxic

I couldn’t read her expression. She was keeping it neutral. I narrowed my eyes. “You’re asking me if I’ve changed my mind about making you my old lady?”

She gave a nod. “Now that we’ve slept together… I-” She stopped, swallowing down whatever she’d been about to say.

I wasn’t sure if that was because of the dark expression that I knew was on my face, or if she didn’t want to hear the answer. “What kind of men do you know?”

She looked down. “I’ve only dated one guy, but…he left an impression.”

“I’d say.” I reached out, tipping her chin up. Once her eyes met mine again, I spoke, “You’re mine, Billie. I’m not letting you go.”

Relief entered her eyes and she gave me a shaky smile. “You might change your mind once you realize how bossy I can be.”

“Hate to break it to you, Lightning, I figured that out a long time ago.”

“You’re just as demanding,” she pointed out. She was relaxing in her chair now. Reaching out, she started to dish food onto her plate.

“True. But I don’t try to act like I’m not.”

There was a knock on the door that interrupted us. We both stared at each other, then I got up to answer it. I scowled at the man on the porch. “Thought you went back to Wyoming?” I asked.

Warrant grinned, then shoved his way past me into the house. “Naw. Lock asked me to hang out for a bit. I guess the Phoenix guys might be needing your help.”

“I haven’t heard anything about that,” I muttered, going to sit back down.

“I guess Ruck called Lock this morning. Said they’re having some issues and might need your club’s help. Lock figured having more men would be helpful, so you’ve got me for a little longer.”

“Oh boy,” I said in a sarcastic tone. But I was just kidding. Warrant and I have known each other since we were kids. We were and would always be brothers. I’d trusted him to stay here with my woman after all.

“You know you’ve missed me,” he said, mouth full of a waffle. He paused, looking between me and Billie as if he just caught the tension in the room. He swallowed. “Need me to go do the chores?”

I chuckled. These men knew me so damn well. “No. Butcher’s taking care of it. Last thing we want is anyone helping him, more fun for us this way.”

Warrant made a face. “You sure he’s doing it right?”

“I’ll double check after breakfast.”

Billie straightened hearing that. “What does that mean? He’s not going to accidentally poison my animals is he?”

“Not accidentally,” Warrant pointed out.

I glared at him, then reassured her, “He wouldn’t do that. Your animals are fine. Except maybe the dog.” I looked around.

“She’s taken a liking to him,” Billie said with a smile.

“Is that what you call it?” I asked with a grin. “Seems more like she doesn’t want to let him out of her sight.”

She shrugged and took a sip of her coffee.

“What is it with you women and cattle dogs?” Warrant asked.

“They’re loyal and protective,” she replied.

“More like neurotic and obsessive,” he said.

“And compact.” She said, ignoring him, “If I have to pick her up and put her on Hank I can actually do it since she’s only like forty pounds.”

“Huh,” he said. “That actually makes sense. I always figured it was that their bratty attitudes matched your own.” He grinned at her.

She rolled her eyes and smacked his arm with the back of her hand. “Shut it.”

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