Page 27 of Reaper
“They’re fine,” Reaper tells me, closing the distance between us. I open my mouth to ask how he knows what I’m thinking, and he presses a finger against my lips. “I told them you guys were practicing for another adventure.”
Try as I might, I can’t ignore the zing that ricochets from one nerve ending to another at his touch. That doesn’t stop the grin from spreading though.
“Thanks.”
He removes his finger and drops his arms to his sides. “Don’t mention it.”
Without me even asking, Reaper begins to clean up the table. Silently, I pitch in, and in no time, there’s not a trace that a meal was even had.
“You wanted to talk to me about the diner?” I prompt when we’re finished.
“Right.” He grabs my hand and leads me to the couch. Once we’re both seated, he turns to face me. “My brothers and I would really like to help out at Night and Day. We’ve hashed out all the details, and if it’s okay with you, we’ve come up with a schedule so all shifts are covered, and we can even help with the kids if you want. And before you say anything about how it’s your diner and you don’t need help or before you think I’m an overbearing ass like your ex, please know that I’m not trying to take over. I just want to help.”
I stare at him, my heart in my throat. I want to accept his help. I really do. But the part of me that wants to stand on my own two feet, the part of me that wants to protect what’s mine stops me from accepting quickly. My protective walls are only cracked, not crumbled.
“I appreciate that, but…”
“But what?”
“I don’t expect you to understand,” I begin. “I’ve worked hard to build the life I have, to create a safe environment for the twins.”
“And?”
“And none of it includes a man riding in on a white horse playing savior,” I say honestly.
Reaper grins. “No white horse. Chrome, maybe. Definitely not white. And I’m not trying to play savior. The offer of help is no strings attached.”
“Meaning?”
“Look, Kyra, I’m not trying to get in your pants or step into the role of Daddy. It’s time you learn that accepting help doesn’t make you weak or a target for unwanted advances. It means you’re human.”
“Nobody gives something without wanting something in return.”
“I do.”
I sigh, realizing he’s not going to give up. And I find that I don’t really want him to. There’s no way I’ll let myself rely on him, but I’d be a fool to look a gift horse in the mouth. Besides, if he turns out to be a prick like most men, I’ll do what I’ve always done: protect myself and my kids.
“Fine,” I cave. “But this is temporary until I can get the diner back on its feet and hire real staff.”
His grin widens.
“Understood.”
15
Reaper
“Why couldn’t she own a cool business like a tattoo shop or something?”
Grump has been complaining since I got back to the clubhouse last night. Apparently, he thinks that working at the diner is going to be boring. Maybe for him it will be, but for me, it’s going to be anything but.
Tempting, torturous, agonizing, arousing… those are words I’d use to describe any time I’ll be spending around Kyra.
Boring? Never.
“Think of it as a way to meet chicks,” I tell him. “There’s bound to be more than a few female customers.”
“If you say so,” he grumbles.
