“That’s not much of a deal.”
I took a second bite. It wasn’t as good. “Take it or leave it.”
“I sense a consequence.”
“Oh, darlin’.” I chuckled. “There’s always consequences.”
She smiled.
For the first time since I’d met her, her face transformed into a stunning display of innocence.
My spoon hit the counter and I grabbed my chest, only half kidding. “Holy shit, Siren. I think my heart just stopped.”
Heat hit her cheeks. “Stop it,” she scolded, but she was still smiling.
“No. You’re fuckin’ gorgeous when you smile.” I couldn’t stop myself. I tucked a strand of her silky hair behind her ear.
She set her spoon down and her smile disappeared. “I’m ready for bed now.”
“Is that an invitation?” I teased.
“No.”
“Damn, Siren.” Laughing, I shook my head. “You know how to crush a man.”
“Funny.”
“No joke about it.” I grinned. “I’m gonna be dreamin’ of that smile.”
She looked away. “Don’t tease me.”
“Who says I’m teasin’?” I put the lid on the ice cream.
“I may not have much experience with men, but I’m not naïve.”
Her tone of voice, her insecurity, they were sobering. “Nothin’ doing, darlin’,” I said seriously. “I wasn’t teasin’ when I said your smile is a showstopper. Thanks for sharin’ it with me.” I stood and kissed the top of her head. “Made me feel human.” Despite the circumstances, I couldn’t remember a night in the past two years where I’d felt more relaxed.
“You’re welcome,” she said shyly.
“Let me grab some pain meds. You ever taken Percocet before?”
“No.”
“Then you’re in for a treat,” I said sarcastically, knowing she couldn’t possibly understand what the fuck I was talking about. “Be right back.”
I left before I did something stupid, like kiss her. I grabbed a couple of pills from my medicine cabinet and when I went back into the kitchen, she was cleaning up.
“Leave it.” I took a bottle of water out of the fridge for her. “Here.” I held out one of the pills and the water. “Take one now and in four-to-six hours, you can take another.”
She swallowed the pill, set the water on the counter but then she didn’t move.
I knew she wanted to say something. “Spill it. We agreed, we’re playin’ it honest.”
Before I had the last word out, her arms were around my waist and her head was on my chest. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Caught off guard, my hands stayed at my sides until she started to pull back. Then my arms were around her.
If I said the ground under my feet shifted, I’d be a fucking pussy. If I acknowledged the ache in my chest, I’d be a fool. I’d only ever loved one woman and she was dead. I was never going through that again.
“You’re welcome,” I said roughly.
“You’re nothing like him.”
Her quiet voice fell softly against my heart and I tightened my hold on her. Threading a hand through the soft strands of her hair, I made her a promise I had no business making. “I’m not gonna let anything happen to you.”
“Is he really alive?”
“Yeah.” Kendall wouldn’t have lied about that.
“He’ll come for me.”
I pulled back just enough to look down at her. Every second in her presence made me acutely aware how undeserving he was of her. “Let him try.” I’d bury him.
“He isn’t going to let go.” Her voice was a warning but her eyes told a different story.
“Do you love him?” I had no right to ask.
“He gave me—” She stopped herself and dropped her arms. Looking away, her voice became weighted with the heaviness of sorrow. “I thought I used to.”
I shouldn’t have felt relief but I did. “Get some sleep. We’ll worry ’bout it in the mornin’.”
Favoring her leg, she moved toward the stairs.
“Siren,” I called, wondering about something.
She turned.
“Why didn’t you go to your parents?”
She gripped the railing like she needed it for support. “I made my choice four years ago.”
I waited for more.
“My father gave me an ultimatum—Randy or them. I was eighteen.” She shrugged. “Good night, Talon.”
“Night, darlin’.” I watched her disappear downstairs.
I woke with a start before dawn. The nightmare always left me in a piss-ass mood. But this time it wasn’t Leigh I was trying to save, it was Siren. Fate giving me the finger, the dream ended the same way. Just like I couldn’t catch Leigh to save her, I hadn’t caught Siren. Knowing I wouldn’t fall back asleep, I dressed in running clothes and went through the kitchen. Right before the slider to the deck, I halted.