Page 6 of Burned By My Mate

Her mouth opens, then closes. “You?—”

“Don’t argue,” I cut in. “Just take it.”

She stares at me for a long moment before snatching the key from my hand. “I don’t need your help.”

But she does. And we both know it.

I nod toward the door. “Get some rest.”

I turn to leave, but then?—

A loud shriek echoes from the hallway.

Emersonbursts out of her room, rushing toward her car.

I react instantly, stepping into her path. “What’s wrong?”

She looks up at me, cheeks flushed, eyeswide with horror.

“There areratsin there,” she hisses.

I bite back a smirk. “Not surprised. The place should’ve been condemned years ago.”

She shudders. “I can’t stay there.”

I cross my arms. “So, stay with me.”

She glares at me. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

She lets out a long breath, staring at the keys in her hand before finally giving in.

“Fine.”

Relief floods me. My bear settles, pleased.

She nods me,grumbling under her breath as she heads to climb into her car, and I can’t help but smile.

She’s stubborn. I like that.

She’s also mine, and whether she realizes it yet or not…

I’m never letting her go.

THREE

Emerson

The first thingI notice about Logan’s house is that it’stoo clean.

I expected clutter. Maybe an old recliner covered in clothes, dishes left in the sink, or random tools scattered around. But no, the place ispristine.

The open floor plan makes the space feel bigger than it is, with dark wood floors and sleek furniture. A massive stone fireplace dominates the living room, the mantle lined with neatly stacked books and small trinkets. Everything isorganized, like he doesn’t allow chaos in his space.

Unlike my house—was my house—which had been in a constant state of disarray as I worked on fixing it up.

A fresh pang of loss slices through me, but I shove it down.

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