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I lifted my head. “I get it. I trust you as well. Always have.”

“That’s why we’re the real deal, angel.”

God. When he said stuff like that to me, I just wanted to melt into a puddle at his feet. It was so romantic and fierce and better than a romance novel. He made me feel like nothing and no one was more important, beautiful, or special. In truth, Rain always spoke to me this way. He’d been loyal, protective, and kind to me when I arrived at the foster home.

I never forgot how he pulled me through the darkest days of my life. “Sometimes, I think you’re right.”

“Then I’ll just have to convince you until it’s all the time.”

I wondered if he was joking. It didn’t seem like it. “We’re not kids anymore, Rain. You’re not obligated to me.”

“No,” he agreed. “I’m not. Angel, I’m here because this is where I want to be.”

My heart made a little pitter-patter in my chest. “You still take my breath away with the words you say.”

And the conviction behind them. He’d always been intense.

“That’s only because you know I’m being honest.”

Probably.

“I saw a gas company truck outside your place when I pulled up. Everything okay?”

I forgot all about the service tech. “He knocked on my door and said he needed to read the meter for accuracy.”

Cuckoo nodded. “Ah.”

“You wanna watch a movie?” I asked, trying to keep him in my house a little longer. I couldn’t explain it, but since he showed up at the library, I’d been feeling emotional. His presence helped soothe the frayed edges.

“The Princess Bride?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll make the popcorn while you set it up.”

And just like that, we fell into a familiar and comfortable routine. Somewhere in the middle of the movie, I fell asleep.

When my eyes opened, daylight streaked across the sky in various shades of blue, fading the stars as the moon lowered to the horizon. Held against a solid, muscled chest, I realized I was lying on top of Rain. His arms circled me as he breathed deeply, keeping me close as we both rested.

Since it was Saturday morning, I didn’t have a reason to wake him. No shift at work. Nowhere else I had to be.

I closed my eyes, letting his warmth surround me.

It didn’t take long to join him.

Chapter 8 Cuckoo

Ispent the night with Katrina. Hell fucking yeah.

When my eyes opened, I nearly jolted, worrying about why I didn’t feel her pressed against me any longer until I heard the shower and water splashing in her bathroom.

I groaned as I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I’d been knocked out, dead to the world, which was fucking unheard of for me. I never slept well, not since I was a kid. The insomnia got worse after Katrina was taken away.

But being with her last night relaxed me. It must have been enough to drop my defenses and become vulnerable. That shit wasn’t good, especially since I still didn’t know what was happening with Eagle Eye and the cold case regarding Katrina’s biological parents.

My phone began vibrating inside my cut, and I reached inside, pulling it free to glance at the screen. Crow.

“Hey, Pres.”