Page 18 of Cowboy Bull's Promise

And I’d let her.

I force my feet forward, walk back to the bar, and slap a couple of bills down, enough to cover my beer and the mess I caused.

Then, I make an executive decision.

I need to leave.

But fuck, it’s not easy.

Every muscle in my body is coiled tight, screaming at me to stay.

And my Bull?

He’s damn near goring me to death with his horns.

His need to claim, to stake his territory, is a wild, feral thing clawing up my throat.

Stay. Stay. Protect. Keep her.

I grit my teeth, bargaining with my beast.

Need to make sure those pussies leave. Don’t want them causing her trouble, I tell him, forcing logic into the storm of instincts slamming against my ribs.

He snorts, uneasy but accepting.

For now.

God knows I am no good for Arliss.

But knowing that doesn’t mean I can stay away.

Doesn’t mean I can undo whatever has already started here.

I don’t want to corrupt her.

Guilt slams into me, knowing that is exactly what will happen if I go near her.

And I refuse to drag her into my world, into the chaos that lives in my blood.

But keeping her safe?

That’s not a choice.

That’s something I have to do.

And for once, both sides of me, man and Bull, agree without question.

Chapter Three-Arliss

“Is that my beautiful granddaughter?”

Gramps’ voice booms from the living room the second I step through the door of our tiny apartment, warm and full of mischief.

I roll my eyes, but I smile anyway as I set the single bag of groceries on the kitchen counter.

One bag.

That’s all I could afford this time.

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