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“I wish I’d known that last night,” I mutter.

Talon looks up sharply. His gaze bores into me. “Did something happen?”

“Um …”

The sliding door opens, and Nina walks out. She’s balancing the cucumber salad, a tray of condiments, and a jar of pickles. She’s about to drop everything, so I rush to help her, grateful for the interruption. I don’t want to talk about last night anymore. Scar apologized, and I don’t want to dwell on what happened. He didn’t mean to try to kill me. He was just scared.

Scar and Nitro run back into view. They glance over their shoulders, and both slow enough to allow Max to catch them.

“Rawr!” Max jumps on Scar’s back. Scar falls to the ground and lets Max pin him. “I got you!”

“Oh, no! I’m going to get eaten,” Scar says.

He’s grinning, but Max can’t see his face. I can, and what I witness melts my heart. Scar’s so good with kids. I wonder if he wants any of his own or if he’s just content to save other people’s children. I know I shouldn’t be thinking about what he wants since this situation is temporary, but I can’t help it. I can’t stop thinking about him. The more I try to control my thoughts, the worse it gets. He’s constantly on my mind. I need to make sure he doesn’t sneak into my heart, too.

“I’m going to get you!” Nitro grabs Max around the waist, hoisting him off Scar and pulling Max up onto his shoulders. “Now we’re a super T-rex!”

Scar scrambles to his feet and takes off running. Nitro races after him. Max squeals with delight and grabs Nitro’s head, partially blocking his view. Nitro trips over a rock, and Max goes flying through the air. The whole thing happens in slow motion. I scream and run down the steps, sprinting toward them. It only takes a second for an accident to happen. What if he’s hurt?

Max rolls into a ball when he lands. The movement absorbs most of the impact, but he’s left gasping for breath.

“Are you okay?” I hover over him.

Max sucks in several breaths before responding. “That was awesome! Can we do it again?”

“Nah, little man. It’s time for dinner,” Scar says. He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me up against his hard body. He presses his lips against my ear, sending a shiver through me. “He’s okay.”

“You guys were playing too rough,” I say.

“It’s what boys do,” he responds. “Max is fine, right, bud?”

“Yeah! What’s for dinner?” Max grabs Nitro’s hand. They walk up the steps to join the others on the patio.

“You okay?” Scar asks.

“I’m fine, but I don’t think you should be running around like that. What if he cracked his head open?” I move out of his arms and face him.

“He’s a tough kid. I’d never even consider doing anything that could hurt him. I thought you trusted me to take care of him?” Scar frowns.

“I do. I guess I’m just too wound up.” I wrap my arms across my chest.

“Come here.” He opens his arms, and I walk into them, letting him pull me close. “There’s only one thing I regret right now.”

“What’s that?” I ask.

“Letting you leave my room before we could finish what we started.”

I laugh softly, nestling into his chest. I wish he’d take me back there right now, but there’s no way we can leave the barbecue without everyone noticing. I don’t have to look at them to know they’re watching us. I can feel it.

“All that running around made me hungry.” He tilts my face up so he can look down at me. He looks hungry as hell—for me.

“Scar,” I whisper. “Everyone’s watching.”

“Let them.” He lowers his face toward mine and brushes a soft kiss across my lips. “You’re mine. They already know it. Do you?”

My jaw drops. His? What is he talking about? We barely know each other. Sure, a lot has happened in the last twenty-four hours, but how can he claim me when he doesn’t really know me? I don’t know how to respond to him, so I don’t.

“You’ll get used to the idea.” He grins before brushing a lock of hair from my face. “Let’s go eat.”