Page 20 of Property of Blade (Kings of Anarchy MC: Alaska #1)

I raise an eyebrow, not entirely convinced, but I don’t question it. The cabin is secluded, but there’s something else in his voice, something that says he’d make sure nothing happened to me while I’m here.

The inside of his place looks almost the same as the first time I came, but there’s a slight change—a white tablecloth is spread across his dining table, and it’s set for two, complete with a real flower in a vase.

I stare at the delicate petals, the soft, vibrant red of the flower catching my attention.

“What sort of flower is that?”

“It’s a hibiscus,” Blade replies, his gaze following mine. “They grow wild out back.”

I can see why he picked it. The flower is stunning with its red petals and darker red center.

“Can I take your coat?” Blade asks, his voice steady.

Nodding, I turn around and undo the belt, then the buttons of my coat.

His hands land gently on my shoulders as I shrug out of it, the soft warmth of his touch sending a little shiver down my spine.

I pause for a moment, caught off-guard by the simple, caring gesture.

He doesn’t say anything, takes the coat from me, and hangs it on a hook near the front door as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Blade walks back to me, his hand reaching for mine. He takes it with a calm ease, leading me toward his refrigerator.

“I have Pepsi Max,” he says casually, a grin tugging at his lips. “I noticed you had this wine in your fridge and...” he points to his kitchen counter, “... I got some tea for you.”

My eyes follow his gesture, landing on the coffee canister first. But just beside it, there are no less than six different types of teas, all from the same brand I drink at home.

“You got all these for me?” I ask, my voice soft.

The simple gesture of it, him remembering something small and thoughtful, hits me harder than I expected.

“Well, I saw you like them,” Blade says, his voice steady and sincere.

I stand there for a moment, unable to hide my surprise. No man has ever gone to this much trouble for me before. It’s never been the grand gestures or the flashy things that get me, but this, the thoughtfulness, the care.

This man is different.

Blade is paying attention, and that makes me feel seen. He’s noticed me, my habits, even the smallest things, and I can’t help but feel a little overwhelmed by it all.

I swallow hard, finding it difficult to put the words together. “That’s... really sweet of you.” My smile is genuine, and I can feel a warmth in my chest that has nothing to do with the heat in the room.

Blade’s eyes soften slightly, but his grin remains. “It’s nothing,” he says with a shrug, though I can tell he’s pleased. “Now, what’ll it be? Pepsi Max, wine, or tea?”

I hesitate, taking in the options. “I think... tea sounds perfect.”

“Tea it is.” Blade pulls out a mug from the cupboard.

“What’s for dinner?”

Blade stops what he’s doing and looks at me. “I’m not really a white tablecloth kind of guy.”

“I can see that, but you have one on your table,” I tease.

The simplicity of him, the way he doesn’t care for pretenses, is comforting.

He looks thoughtful for a moment before asking, “Are burgers okay?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Depends. Are they any good?”

Blade grins, his confidence slipping into his voice. “Best burgers in town.”

“I thought that was at the bar in town.”

He smirks, leaning back a little. “Mine are better, and they come with loaded fries.”

“One problem.”

He tilts his head. “What’s that?”

Sighing dramatically, as if I have a major issue with his choice, I say, “Messy. I’m dressed up, and I’m going to get all dirty.”

Blade holds up a finger, his expression mischievous. He walks over to the table, and when he returns, he’s holding a napkin and a packet of wipes, his grin wide. “These are for you.”

I blink, taken aback for a moment, before I laugh. “You’re really prepared, huh?”

“Better safe than sorry,” he says.

He hands me the napkin and wipes as if offering me the perfect solution to what could’ve been a messy situation.

“Thanks,” I say with a smile, holding them up. “I’ll probably use both.” I laugh. “Best burgers and wonderful customer service. I’m sold.”

Blade winks, clearly enjoying the playful banter between us. “Let’s see if you still think that after you try them. Please make yourself comfortable.”

“How about I make my tea while you do what you need to do?”

“Teamwork. I like it.”

“What are you drinking?”

“I’ll grab myself a beer out of the fridge.”

Holding up a hand, I place it on his chest to stop him. He looks down at my hand and covers it with his own.

“I’ll get it. Teamwork, remember?”

Blade nods and takes a step closer, his gaze intense. “Stand still for a moment. I want to try something.”

His fingers brush my cheek, so soft, I almost don’t feel it. A shiver runs down my spine as his hand moves to the back of my neck. My breath hitches when he steps even closer, the space between us vanishing.

Then, his lips hover just above mine, a silent question in the air. His presence fills the space, bigger than any man should be. And yet, I don’t feel small. His lips brush mine, featherlight at first, testing, waiting for my response.

When I don’t pull away, he deepens the kiss, and it’s as if the world around us falls away.

The scent of pine and earth, the intensity of his touch, everything sharpens.

His hands slide down to my shoulders, pulling me closer, and I feel the rumble of something in his chest, a low, contented sound that vibrates through his body.

It resonates beneath my hand, which rests on his chest, and I swear I can feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat, warm and strong.

The sound is primal, not quite a growl, but something more, and it sends a wave of warmth through me. I don’t know what it means, but I feel it deep in my bones, and I never want to pull away.

But as abruptly as he started the kiss, he stops. My eyes flutter open, and I find him standing there, looking at me with such a serious expression. Blade’s hands are on his hips, and he’s not saying a word, simply staring at me as if he’s trying to figure something out.

“Was it bad?” I whisper, suddenly unsure of myself.

“No, it was perfect.”

My heart skips a beat, but the uncertainty lingers. “Why’d you stop?” My eyes drop to his chest, and even though he said it was perfect, I wonder if I did something wrong or worse, it’s simply me. “I-is it the scars?”

He doesn’t answer right away, and for a moment, time slows down.

The space between us is thick with unspoken words, the air heavy with everything I’m afraid to ask.

His chest rises and falls with each breath, but I don’t know if it’s my nerves or something else I feel in the air—there’s this strange hum, a low, steady vibration.

I glance up at him again, but his eyes are hard to read, and the silence is suffocating. I almost wish he would say something, anything, to break it.

A knock at the door makes me jump, and Blade swears under his breath as he walks toward it.

He opens it, standing tall in the doorway. “What?”

“I thought I heard—” The voice cuts off when Blade opens the door wider, revealing Vex standing there with a sheepish grin.

“I’m having dinner with Hannah,” Blade says, his tone firm but not unkind.

Vex raises his hand and awkwardly waves at me. “Oh, right.” His eyes flick to Blade, and suddenly, they widen. He grins and punches Blade on the shoulder. “I get it now. You were—”

“Having dinner with Hannah,” Blade cuts him off, his voice a low growl that leaves no room for interpretation.

“Hello, Vex. Did you want to join us?” I ask, grateful for the interruption, but at the same time not wanting to be rude.

“No, he doesn’t. He’s busy.” Blade’s words are short, clearly done with the conversation.

“I could come in for a drink?” Vex tries again, his grin not fading.

Blade crosses his arms over his chest, standing his ground.

“Of course you can. Blade, let him in,” I add, feeling a little more relaxed with the intrusion.

Blade takes a step back, allowing Vex to saunter past him. Vex makes a beeline for the refrigerator, acting as if he’s been here a thousand times.

He holds up a bottle of beer and looks at Blade. “Do you want one?”

Blade nods, still looking at Vex with that steady, serious expression as he shuts the door.

“I’m having tea,” I interject.

“Blade doesn’t drink tea.” Vex’s gaze lands on the canisters on the kitchen bench, his eyebrows lifting. “When did you get those?”

“I ordered them,” Blade states flatly, holding out his hand for the beer.

“Well, look at you.” Vex hands him a beer, clearly impressed by Blade’s sudden interest in tea.

“One drink, and then you’re going.” Blade’s tone doesn’t change, but there’s a subtle edge to it now.

“Actually, I might take this to go.” Vex winks at me. “Nice seeing you again, Hannah.” He heads toward the door, then pauses in front of Blade. “I’m happy for you, brother.”

Blade’s expression softens, just for a moment, and he nods once at Vex, who then opens the door and steps out into the night, leaving us alone.

“I should go,” I mumble, my voice trembling slightly, unsure of everything that’s happening.

Blade’s head whips around in my direction, and his expression changes immediately.

“No.” He holds up his hands, looking up at the ceiling in frustration.

“Fucking Vex. He has a way of—” Blade stops himself, exhaling sharply, puts the bottle on the table, and closes the distance between us. His hands gently cup my face.

“I don’t care about your scars,” he says, his voice steady and firm.

“I’m not sure how many times I need to tell you, but I’ll keep telling you until you believe me.

” His eyes lock onto mine, and I can feel the sincerity behind every word.

“Hannah, you’re beautiful.” A gentle pause fills the space between us, his words sinking into me.

“Can you feel this thing between us? Can you feel the pull?”