I take hold of Dani, pulling her into my arms and stomp out. If I don’t, I’m going to kill that mother-fucking-son-of-a-bitch. When I walked in and he was touching Dani’s face, I wanted to break his hand. It’s bad enough that she chose him over me that night. It fucking pisses me off that he’s had his dick anywhere near her. It sure as fuck ain’t happening again. It sits sour in my stomach that she let him anywhere near her.

“What the fuck were you thinking letting that son of a bitch touch you? If you need dick that bad, I can give you mine…” I break off my tirade when I hear a large crash. I look down at her, then down to the floor. I see a broken vase, scattered flowers, and water all along the hall in front of us.

Dani’s elbow swings into my throat, it’s not powerful because of the angle, since she’s in my arms, but it is hard enough that my hands lower her quickly to the ground.

“What the…,” I gasp and massage my Adams apple before continuing. “What the fuck?” My voice sounds like freaking Mickey Mouse, while I catch my breath.

“You don’t get to talk to me like that. You don’t know me. We are nothing to each other, so stick your condescending attitude up your ass. If I want to fuck the whole Green-Bay Packers team, I’ll fuck them.” she growls hobbling away from me.

I watch her for a minute. I can admit it’s mostly to admire the way those jeans are molded to her ass. Then I look at the mess she left behind her. I take pleasure in seeing the fucking flowers broken and scattered on the floor. I would be lying if I didn’t confess I like the way she doesn’t even seem to want to take one with her. I kick them with the toe of my boot, and I smile as I think about Beast coming out and finding that shit. Then I jog down the hall to catch up with Hop-a-long.

“You need to let me carry you to the cage,” I say, when I notice how much pain and discomfort she’s in.

“I need for you to leave me the fuck alone. I can take care of myself.”

“Doesn’t appear you do such a good job of it, if you make choices like Beast and Tiny,” I return before I can stop my mouth.

She stops and turns to face me, putting her hands on her hips, the bag with her belongings swaying at her side. “Maybe if you weren’t so busy holding a gun on me, I wouldn’t have!”

“Will you keep your voice down? And it wasn’t at you, Hellcat. I think you know that. You’re the one who fucked up here.”

“Are you always such a self-righteous prick, Zander?”

I look at her and that’s when it hits me. She’s pale—really pale. Her face is tight indicating her pain, and she’s playing the hard ass, but those dark eyes of hers show…fear. I’m an ass. I pick her up and ignore the way she protests and beats on my chest. Instead, I lean down and kiss the top of her head. I’m not sure why, but that seems to calm her.

“I’m sorry Hellcat, I got my nose out of joint because Beast was right. I should have brought you some clothes and your own stuff.”

At my words the fight goes completely out of her, and she rests her head against my shoulder. I continue down the hallway towards the exit, oblivious to the stares we receive. It feels good, having Dani in my arms. It feels…right. Which is a scary fucking thing to admit.

“I don’t know why. I’m nothing to you. It shouldn’t have bothered you,” she says quietly.

I look down and her eyes are closed. She looks so sad and more than a little haunted. Again, she reminds me of Melly. Maybe it’s her sadness? Or the way she tries so hard to be tough as nails, yet still appears so fragile. I honestly don’t know why the two of them are linked in my mind, but they are. Except, the emotions that Dani brings out of me are much more volatile. I don’t say anything while I carry her outside to the cage. I let her slide to her feet, gently but keep my hands on her ass, and I can’t help but squeeze. I pull her close, knowing she can feel the hard ridge of my cock. I’m not about to hide it from her, Dani and I both have been around the block. She’s going to know that I want to fuck her, and I’m not going to hide it. I plan to show her and show her often.

Her face raises to mine. Those eyes of hers…eyes that hold a million secrets pin me in their gaze, and I can’t look away from the interest and the excitement flaring in them.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Hellcat. That’s where you’re wrong,” I whisper.

I expect her to question me, to accuse me of trying to get into her pants, which admittedly I do want. She doesn’t however, and I’m glad. Truthfully, I don’t know how I would have answered her. I don’t know what she is to me, but I know she has potential to be more, and I don’t want to leave her alone. That’s probably why I can’t stop myself. As I gently place her inside the vehicle, I lean down on the running boards and look up at her. My fingers slide under her hair. My thumb gently massages the skin at the corner of her lips.

“Zander?” she questions, confused.

Hell, I am too. I’m absolutely confused, but I can’t stop myself. I bring my lips against hers, tasting her, and swallowing the soft sigh of air that escapes. The kiss is gentle and sweet, not at all what I planned to give her. My tongue brushes along the top of her lip and slowly delves in her waiting mouth. At first, I’m confused, and take the fact that she’s not participating as rejection, but gradually her tongue comes up and dances against mine. It’s a sweet kiss. A kiss from another time. Chaste almost, but it soothes an empty spot inside of me I didn’t know was there. So, I don’t push it. I slowly break away, leaving our foreheads connected. She closes her eyes and lets me hold her. Dani, who is always fighting, lets me hold her outside in front of everyone and doesn’t protest. No, if I can read her body’s reaction right, she is just like me at the moment. Wishing we could stay like this and not move.

Have I ever savored an innocent kiss? Have I ever given one? Have I ever enjoyed just holding someone before?

I honestly don’t think so. What the hell do I do with that?