Secrets Worth Keeping (Finding my Home #2)- Nikita Parmenter Page 0,68

bag” Rafe explains.

She gets more and more intriguing with every new thing I learn about her. Without saying anything I take the stairs two at a time and go to my room, stripping off my blood stained shirt and chucking it in the trash, I prefer black for a reason but if she can spot the stain someone else could too. Although to be fair that’s unlikely since people rarely have the balls to stare at me for any length of time.

I sit down on the edge of bed and just take a breath. Ever really threw me through a fucking loop. My heart is still pounding and I swear I can still feel her lips on my cheek. She’s stunning in all aspects and meanings of the word. I can’t help but feel that there is a lot more to her. Yes she has demons but I don’t think she just lay down and took it, I think she fought back. I don’t get protective over people, I just don’t give a flying fuck, in life people die so fucking often what’s the point. Besides, the more people you feel protective over the more weaknesses you have. The guys and Rage I’m protective over. They’re family, I actually really want to introduce the guy’s to Rage, they’d get on amazingly but I can’t bring them into this mess even though I know they are more than capable of handling it.

I am already feeling protective of her though and I’ve only been here for an hour. It worries me if I’m being honest. The guy’s would be used against me but hell help any fucker who tries, I know they can take care of themselves. It’s my own doubts that keep me from bringing them in on it. If they ever find out they’re going to be seriously pissed.

I have no idea how well Ever can take care of herself and that scares that shit out of me already. He would delight in using her against me.

Shaking off my dark thoughts I make my way back downstairs just in time to see the guys all take a seat at the table, Ever is bringing the last dish of salad over and I step into her path dipping and kissing her cheek, unable to stop myself from letting my lips linger against her soft as silk skin. She trembles slightly and I pull back worried that I’ve scared her. She looks up at me with heat in her eyes and my heart stops before beating double time.

“Thank you, Princess. It’s been a long time since someone’s been thoughtful enough to care about me” I rasp quietly, I have no idea why I admitted that to her.

I know the fuckers are probably gaping at me again. Not only do I not like being touched but I never initiate it and I have with Ever twice.

What is she doing to me?

“Anytime Atty” she grins and places the final dish on the table.

That nickname makes my heart beat faster and I have no idea fucking why but I like it. Idiot. I take my usual seat and we all start dishing up. This whole scene is very domestic and a small, buried part of me that I thought had died years ago, stirs with yearning. I’ve missed these fuckers, but it really is just safer for them to not be around me until I’ve sorted this mess out. Even then I’m not sure it will be safe.

“This is really good, Firecracker” Luc compliments and we all grunt in agreement.

“Oi fuckers I helped too” Jensen grumbles and makes Ever laughs.

“You chopped shit up” Rafe chuckles.

“Still counts” Jensen smarts back.

“So what are we doing after this?” Ever interrupts before their fight can dissolve even further.

“I vote hot tub” Trick smirks and sends her a wink which surprisingly has her blushing.

“I’m up for that” she says letting her eyes trail over all of us, even me and then smirking.

I debate saying I’m going to sit this one out but the asshole in me wants to test her and her reaction to my scar. She can’t be as perfect as she seems and I’d rather find out now if it scares her. I’m also man enough to admit that I just want to see Ever in a bikini.

I smirk and Trick catches it grinning wider. I decide to distract him before he can call me out on it. He’d just love that. He always said I just had