Page 24 of Tabitha

Banks glances at me, his smile more like a bearing of teeth than anything pleasant. “I’ll leave you and your husband—”

“Oh, he’s not my husband,” I interrupt, ignoring the way Pierce’s grip tightens on my waist in warning.

“Boyfriend,” Pierce says before I can set the facts straight, leaning down and kissing my temple almost affectionately. Then he reaches into his back pocket, removes a card, and offers it to Banks. “But if you’re interested in the house, you can contact our real estate agent and put in a bid.”

Banks grabs the card, glances down at it absently, flicking it through his fingers before he lifts it and nods. “Thanks, I’ll do that.”

He turns to go, then pauses and glances over his shoulder at me with what I’m assuming is supposed to be an attractive smile but looks more like a crocodile grin. “If you need anything, anything at all, come find me.”

With a wink, he turns on his heel and saunters away.

I don’t wait, slamming the door shut after him, then shrug out of Pierce’s arm and whirl to face him. “Would you like to explain what the hell you think you were doing?”

* * *

PIERCE

Oh, my little Tabby-cat is pissed, her claws coming out, and it’s all I can do not to grin. I know I should be wary—the girl has a vicious streak in her—but I’m too thrilled with the knowledge that she’s aware of my touch.

For the first time in months, I feel like I’ve finally made some headway.

It gives me hope.

Not that I need hope to keep chasing after her. She’s written into the strands of my DNA. I will follow her to the end of time. Soon or later, she will realize that my soul belongs to her, and she’ll claim me.

I turn sideways, peering out the narrow windows that bookend the front door to make sure Banks is gone, not liking the fucker hanging around Tabitha. There’s something in his eyes, a curiosity when he looks at her that makes the hairs on the back of my neck lift.

That man wants more than the house, and I’m determined he never lays a hand on my girl. When I’m sure that asshole is gone, I turn back toward Tabby and shrug at her question. “I don’t like the way he was looking at you. Can you honestly say that you want him to pursue you?”

Her cute little nose scrunches up, but she crosses her arms, still not appeased, and grumbles under her breath, “Pretending to date is an added complication.”

I nod in agreement, not letting my triumph show. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, even if she hates me for it. “You’re right, but if you think about it logically, the relationship will help us in the long run.”

She purses her lips, knowing I’m right, but her stubbornness refuses to let her admit it.

I head toward the boxes and grab the tape gun, giving her time to adjust to the change in plans. She trails after me, still not ready to admit that I’m right.

“We agreed that you would be—”

“No. You decided. I never agreed.” I point the tape gun at her, then tape the bottom of the box, giving her time to process it. When I glance up at her, a look of consternation flashes across her face. “You see this as a complication, but think of it as an extra layer of protection. When we go out in public, I take the lead, and you don’t have to deal with other people.”

Not only will it allow me to protect her better, but I’d also be able to use that time to get closer to her. Much like the cat she’s named after, Tabby is a bit feral. She doesn’t like attention unless she instigates it. By the end of this mission, I hope to have her addicted to my touch.

I don’t want to tame her wild nature, I just want to be a part of it.

I want to be the one she goes to for comfort.

She’s become my whole world, and I refuse to allow her reckless nature to put her in danger, not when I can no longer live without her.

“Fine,” Tabitha huffs, shooting me one more glare as she stomps away and mutters under her breath, “It’s too late now, anyway.”

I can’t stop the smile that crosses my face, quickly ducking my head so she doesn’t see it.

If things go as planned, she will claim my heart for her own before the end of the month.

Chapter Eight

GAGE

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