Page 8

Emryn’s behind the kitchen counter, humming and fiddling with the coffee maker.

She reaches up and opens the cupboard, where there are exactly two coffee mugs and one plate.

One mug is still in its original package, and when she opens the refrigerator, I can see that it’s filled with fruits and vegetables and a carton of milk.

Emmy grabs the milk and puts it on the counter.

She turns around and lets out an “eek” of surprise.

“You scared me. I thought you were still outside,” she says. She spreads her arms. “Welcome to Casa Emyrn.”

I look around her space and see that it’s mostly bare aside from a couple of stools at the kitchen counter, an old milk crate that holds her laptop, and a beanbag chair that’s seen better days.

“I know it’s not much, but once my stuff arrives, I’ll make it my own,” she says as I continue to look around.

“Where do you sleep?”

“The bedroom’s through there.” She points to the half-open door across from her. “It’s a great cottage. It has an extra room that can be another bedroom, but I’m going to make it into an office,” she says happily.

I step farther into the room and glimpse into the bedroom, where I see a lone sleeping bag, a pillow, and an extra blanket. There isn’t even a lamp. This isn’t right. It shouldn’t take this long to have stuff delivered. Where is it coming from, Alaska?

“Emmy, where is your storage unit?” I ask, doing my best to keep my voice casual.

“About an hour and a half from here, just outside Jameison County,” she replies while pouring coffee. “How do you take it?” She lifts the freshly poured cup of coffee.

“Black, thanks.” I take a seat on her stool. “Why’s it taking so long to get your stuff?”

Emmy leans her hip against the counter, takes a sip, then says, “Well, originally, it was supposed to arrive the same day I arrived, but I got a call from the moving company, and they said they were having an issue with drivers and had to move my date back a couple of days. Stuff happens, so I thought, okay. But it’s beginning to peeve me because they moved the date again.

They swear they’ll be here this week, so here’s hoping. ”

“They’re jerking you around.”

“I’m sure?—”

I stop her by reaching out, taking her hand, and pulling her close. With the kitchen island between us, we meet in the middle. “Listen, baby, they’re jerking you around, and that stops now. What’s the name of the company?”

“What are you going to do?” she whispers, her hand trembling slightly. Fuck! I’m scaring her. I loosen my grip on her wrist and lower my voice.

“Emryn, you should be sleeping in your own bed, sitting on your sofa, and watching your TV. They made a commitment and haven’t followed through.

Twice. That’s not right. I’m going to make the call and let them know that if your stuff isn’t delivered by Wednesday, they’re going to have a problem on their hands,” I tell her calmly.

“But what if they get angry? I don’t have anything expensive, but my grandmother’s vases are there, and I don’t want anything to happen to them,” she says.

“They’re not worth much, but they were hers, and they mean something to me.

If we piss them off, they won’t care about my things when they move them. ”

“They will,” I insist.

“How do you know?” she pushes, tilting her head.

“Because no one fucks with the Pride.”

“I’m not, uh, part of the club.”

“Babe, I get that you don’t see it yet, but we’re building something between us. That means you’re my girl and I take care of you. But even before tonight, Vi adopted you as part of the Lady Pride. She likes you, and by now, I guarantee they’re arranging an official visit.”

She gasps. “You’re joking.”

“You don’t like Vi?”

“I think she’s wonderful. Hanna too. But why?” She looks kissably befuddled.

“Because you’re you. Don’t fight it, Emmy,” I tease.

“Because I’m me?” she squeaks.

“Are you gonna repeat everything I say? Babe, do you really think Vi would be wasting her time giving you fashion advice, then having coffee with you at Hanna’s, introducing you to another Lady Pride, if she doesn’t like you?

And if you think I’m miffed about the runaround you’re getting, Vi would be halfway to Jameison herself by now.

Which would be another issue, because that would mean that Orion would be with her, and you don’t want to get on his bad side. ”

“Maybe I should call to confirm they’re on schedule before you get involved,” Emmy says with a strained smile.

“Fine by me. Give ’em a call.” I let go of her hand and pick up the cell phone on the island, then hand it to her.

“It’s kinda late,” she says, glancing at the time on her phone. “They’re probably not open until office hours tomorrow.”

“Fine,” I concede, “but I’m calling you and?—”

“If they jerk me around, I’ll be calling you.

” She sighs, then drops her gaze to the counter.

“I get that stuff happens, and schedules get shifted, but you’re also right.

If you’re running a business, you have to be trustworthy.

I would never let my clients down. As a matter of fact, I was sick with the flu and had a hundred-and-one temperature, but I loaded up on aspirin, cold meds, and cough drops, and never once did I mention it to the bride and groom.

I couldn’t imagine letting someone down on their wedding day.

” She shakes her head and meets my gaze. “I’ll call you. I promise.”

“That’s good, nature girl. Now, I have an errand to run, but I’ll be back in half an hour,” I say, setting my coffee down and heading toward the door. “Lock this behind me.” She follows me to the door with a stunned expression, but I’m out the door and on my mission.

I make a call as I run the couple of blocks to get to the compound. “Hey, sorry to bother you, but do we have a mattress and a sleeping bag I can use for a couple of days?” I ask.

“Say what?” Demon asks. “What the hell for?”

“Long story, I’ll give you the short version.

She’s sleeping on a cold hardwood floor while she waits for her furniture to arrive.

I think the company she hired is screwing with her.

The immediate need is a mattress to make her a little more comfortable, and the sleeping bag is for me.

The place looks uninhabited, all bare and shit. I don’t like her being there alone.”

“I’ll call around, get that done. Get the pickup and I’ll meet you at the club,” Demon replies. And that’s the way it is with the Pride, whatever a brother needs, we work together to figure it out.

Not twenty minutes later, Demon and I are loading a mattress from War’s place, and a sleeping bag from Saint’s house, along with extra blankets and another pillow, into my truck. While I was at the club, I threw together a change of clothes, and now I’m on my way back to Emryn’s cottage.

Emryn rushes to let me in as soon as she hears the rap on her door. “Move out of the way, baby,” I tell her, then proceed to carry the mattress through the living room and into her bedroom, dropping it on the floor, then I head back out to the truck and return with the sleeping bag and blankets.

She follows me into her bedroom. “What are you doing?” she asks as she watches me lift her sleeping bag and set it on top of the mattress, then roll mine out next to hers.

“It’s not a real bed, but this will be more comfortable than the hard floor,” I tell her.

“And I’m staying the night.” When I see her about to argue, I pull out the big guns.

“Safety, Emmy. This house looks abandoned. This is a nice street, but shit happens, and I’m going to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

I sleep in my bag, and you in yours.” Then I lean forward with a grin.

“I can trust you not to take advantage of me, can’t I? ”

Emryn bursts out laughing. When she finally reels it in, she manages to respond, “I’ll do my very best to curb my baser instincts.” She walks closer and wraps her arms around my waist, laying her head on my chest. “Thanks, Blade.”

Having Emryn in my arms feels good. So good that I don’t want to let go, but I want her to know that with me, she’s always safe.

“It’s pretty late, and I have to get to the garage early. Go get changed for bed, and I’ll make sure the house is locked up for the night,” I say. She extricates herself from my arms and reaches into her opened suitcase in the corner to pull out her pajamas.

I leave her to change while I move around her home, turning off the coffeepot, rinsing out the cups, and checking that the doors and windows are locked up tight.

When I return to the bedroom, Emryn’s snuggled into her sleeping bag.

I turn out the light and shuffle out of my jeans in the dark.

I get into my own bag, then turn to face her.

With only the moonlight shining in through the windows, I see the silhouette of her pretty face. “Night, baby.”

“Blade, thanks for dinner. And everything,” she whispers.

“You’re welcome,” I return quietly.

She shimmies closer in her bag until we’re nose to nose. “This is the longest date I’ve ever been on.” She giggles.

“Is it over?” I challenge, seeing that I haven’t actually left.

“Not until you kiss me good night,” she answers shyly.

With that, I touch my lips to hers and kiss her softly, sweetly. Her mouth is soft and pliant under my own, until I end our kiss.

“Night, Blade,” she murmurs, resting her head back on her pillow.