Page 60 of Riding the Edge

“I’m not a good man, Lady.”

“Don’t short yourself, Al,” I whisper. “You wouldn’t be here with me if you weren’t.”

“Then, maybe I’m better for it too,” he says. Touching his large hand to my cheek, he brings me closer to him and presses his lips to mine. As brief of a kiss as it is, there’s power behind it. It consumes my mind, body, and soul and when it’s over when his mouth leaves mine, I feel the loss in my bones.

Never…

Never in my life have I felt that.

I should probably add that to my list of regrets, but I suppose it’s better to feel something late in life, than to never feel it at all. Suddenly, the air becomes thick and I find myself needing to change the subject. I place the half-eaten egg roll in the wrapper and drop it on the nightstand. Taking a paper towel, I wipe my hands and turn back to Al.

“What are you going to do about Nico?”

“What I do best,” he answers vaguely. Stretching his arms over his head, he tosses his legs over the side of the mattress. “I’m going to clean this mess and get a move on. I’ll grab your car first.”

“It’s okay, I can get it tomorrow on my way to work.”

“Didn’t I tell you back at the hospital that I’d handle your car?”

“Well, yes but—”

“But, nothing. When I say I’m going to do something, Lady, I do it.”

Have I mentioned, he always needs to have the last word—I bet that’s another reason they call him Wolf. He’s also very attentive—something, I never quite pegged him to be.Collecting the remnants of our meal, he shoves everything into the delivery bag until there is no trace of our scandalous bed-eating. He moves to my side and glances at my chest.

After he dressed me in my nightgown and gave me a bag of frozen peas to put on my breast, neither of us mentioned the biopsy or the meltdown that occurred afterward. I was beginning to realize Al was my favorite distraction and quite possibly the best medicine for a woman in my situation. Another scary thought for someone as jaded as me.

“Do you need anything before I go?”

“No,” I say with a smile. “You’re off duty,” I tease.

His lips work into a thin line as he crosses his arms against his chest.

“You’re not a job, Maria.”

“I know that,” I say softly. “All I meant is that you’ve been great today. You gave me everything I needed without me even knowing I needed it.”

Reaching behind him, he cups the back of his neck and nods uncomfortably.

“I haven’t asked questions because I don’t want to make you upset,” he reveals, meeting my gaze. “That don’t mean I don’t got any.”

“I told you everything I know.”

“Right,” he nods again. Cocking his head to the side, he blows out a ragged breath. “I know this thing between us is new and unexpected but like I said before, I’m here. Whether you need a partner or a friend, I’ll be here if it’s nothing and I’ll be here if it’s something.”

“A partner?”

“I don’t know why you date at forty-eight years old but, I know why I do.”

“Al,” I whisper, pausing. “I’m too old for a fairytale.”

“Don’t know if you’ve taken a good look at me, darlin’, but I’m not exactly prince-fucking-charming,” he replies, taking a seat on the edge of my bed. “We both got busy lives and misfits for kids…”

Drawing my hand to my face, I cover my mouth and mask the smile.

“But you give this thing between us a shot and I promise you won’t regret it. You’ll never doubt we were worth the wait,” he murmurs.

“You sound sure of yourself.”

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