Page 21 of Property of Blade (Kings of Anarchy MC: Alaska #1)

I blink, trying to find my voice. “The pull?” I ask, confusion slipping through my tone.

He shifts slightly as if rethinking his words. “Sorry. Everyone feels it, but for humans?” Blade shakes his head. “I know it’s different.”

“Humans?” I ask.

Blade looks at me, his expression softening, but there’s something in his gaze—almost like regret for letting something slip.

“Nothing,” he mutters. “It’s not important.

” His thumb traces the line of my jaw, tender and reassuring.

“What matters is this, between us, it’s real. And it’s not going anywhere.”

All my nerve endings feel as if they’re on fire. Every part of me is screaming for him to kiss me again. His eyes lock with mine, and for a moment, neither of us moves. Blade’s hands fall from my face.

“If you still want to go, I’ll drive you home.”

I don’t have to think about it. “No.” The word slips out before my brain can catch up.

His lips curl into a smile, and I feel a knot loosen in my chest, though the rest of me is still on edge. “Okay. How about we eat?” His eyes are still on me, but there’s something warm in them now.

I smile back, trying to hide the chaos swirling inside me. “Yeah, let’s do that.”

The air between us crackles with unspoken words and unmet desires.

I try to ignore the way my heart beats harder in my chest as he moves to the stove.

It’s not just the hunger for food that makes my stomach tighten.

It’s the way he’s so close but still distant, as though there’s an invisible line I can’t cross, no matter how badly I want to.

Soon, the smell of sizzling hamburgers fills the air, and I feel my stomach grumble. I sit at the table, sipping green tea, hoping the warmth will soothe my nerves. It doesn’t. If anything, it only adds to the unease that is bubbling beneath the surface.

“Do you like cheese?”

“Like isn’t a strong enough word. I adore it. All types, even the funky ones.” I grin, leaning back in my chair.

Blade scrunches up his nose and shakes his head. “It’s only cheddar.”

I roll my eyes, laughing a little. “I like cheddar too.”

He looks at me. “You’re making me question my whole cheese philosophy now.”

“Oh, I’ll convert you, don’t worry,” I tease, my voice light as the tension eases bit by bit.

“Not sure about the funky ones.”

“Can I help you with anything?”

Blade shakes his head. “Nope. We’re good to go.”

He moves quickly through the kitchen, his movements smooth and practiced as he places the hamburgers on a plate.

One lands in front of me, while the other finds its spot where he’s going to sit.

Blade turns back around, effortlessly gathering the ketchup and mustard, then opens the refrigerator and pulls out a fresh salad.

He arranges everything on the table, his huge presence dominating the space.

Without missing a beat, he opens the oven, slips on a mitt, and pulls out a tray of fries topped with more cheese than I thought possible and what looks like chopped-up bacon, sizzling with a delicious promise.

The smell hits me immediately—salty, savory, and irresistible.

He sets the fries down on the table with a proud smile.

“Loaded fries as promised.”

I nod, my stomach growling even louder now. “Right,” I say, my voice barely a whisper as I eye the fries. They look way too good to resist. Blade points at my tea.

“Would you like something cold now? Wine? Pepsi?”

I consider for a moment, then smile. “The wine would be good.”

He moves back to the refrigerator, retrieves the bottle, and opens a cupboard, where he pulls out a wine glass.

“You don’t look like a wine kind of guy,” I comment, raising an eyebrow as I watch him.

“I’m not,” he replies, not missing a beat as he pops the cork and begins pouring the wine into the glass.

“But you have wine glasses?” I ask, genuinely curious.

Blade shrugs as he sits down across from me, taking his seat with that same ease that makes everything look effortless. “I bought it today in town when I got the wine.”

“Really? And just one?” I laugh, a little surprised by the thoughtfulness.

“Yeah,” he grins, his eyes locking with mine. “Couldn’t have you drinking it out of a regular glass.”

There’s something about the way he says it that makes my heart beat a little faster.

Holding up the wine glass, I grin. “To the chef.”

Blade chuckles, his lips curling into that signature smirk as he clinks his beer bottle against my glass. “To us having a great night,” he says, and we both take a sip of our drinks.

I set down the glass and reach for the ketchup, squirt it generously over my burger, then top it with the lid.

Without wasting a second, I take a big bite, the flavors exploding as I sink my teeth into the juicy patty.

The mess is immediate—juices spill down my chin, and I curse under my breath as I scramble for a napkin.

Blade’s watching me, amusement flickering in his eyes as I quickly wipe my face, a flush creeping up my neck.

“That’s the problem with burgers,” I mutter, glancing up at him. “They always get messy.”

He smirks, clearly entertained. “It’s part of the experience,” he says, taking a slow sip of his beer. “And you’re doing it right.”

“Is there a wrong way?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“With a knife and fork,” Blade replies, his voice flat as if that’s the most absurd thing he’s ever heard.

I laugh, shaking my head. “That’d be weird.”

“Agreed.” He smirks, then picks up his burger and takes a big, satisfying bite. Unlike me, he doesn’t make a mess. His focus stays on the meal, calm and composed. When he finishes chewing, he sets his burger down and looks at me, his gaze steady.

“Why Alaska?” he asks, his voice quiet but with an undercurrent of genuine curiosity.

I put my burger down, too, letting out a long breath. “It’s far away from LA, and I didn’t think Travis would follow me here.” I shrug, trying to mask the weight of the words as I focus on the plate in front of me.

There’s a long pause, and then I feel his eyes on me, searching for more. “Something wrong?” His voice is gentle as if he’s not sure how to approach it, but he wants to know.

Taking a deep breath, I say, “He keeps leaving me gifts.” The words catch in my throat, but I push through. “I just want him to leave me alone.”

There’s a moment of silence, and I feel Blade’s presence in the air between us, heavy with unspoken understanding.

“Do you want me to talk to him?” There’s a dangerous edge to his voice, hinting that words might escalate into violence.

I shake my head subtly, knowing from experience that any interference could provoke more trouble. “He’ll get bored soon enough.”

“But if he’s bothering you?”

I manage to smile as I pop a fry into my mouth, savoring the distraction. “It’s fine.” I gesture toward the fries, trying to lighten the mood. “These are seriously good.”

Blade nods. “Nice change of subject,” he remarks, spearing a fry with his fork. “But yes, they are.”

I’m relieved he’s letting the matter drop. Tonight was supposed to be about moving on, yet here I am, circling back to Travis—someone I desperately want to forget.

“Are you liking it here?” he asks gently, shifting gears.

“Yes,” I reply immediately, a sense of honesty threading through my words.

“Though I’m not looking forward to the cold, I’m excited about the scenery and, if I’m honest, the solitude.

LA was too crowded, too anonymous. It felt lonely.

Up here, though...” I trail off, contemplating, “... I have a feeling it’ll be different. ”

“Why’s that?”

“You, for one,” I say softly, meeting his gaze, feeling a flutter of vulnerability in my chest. “You rescued me when my car ended up in that ditch, and you refused any payment. Then you took me out to dinner, introduced me to your crew...” I shrug, trying to mask the sudden intensity building between us. “You’ve made me feel welcome.”

Blade sets his fork down with deliberate calm, his movements slow and controlled. He stands, the shift in energy noticeable as he towers over me, his presence overwhelming. “Is that all I’ve made you feel?”

I swallow, my throat tightening as he takes a step closer, the space between us shrinking in a way that leaves me breathless. “Y-you’ve been...” I stammer, the words caught in the sudden rush of heat. “Nice?”

Blade’s eyes darken, and without a word, he tips my chin back gently, his touch sending a shiver through me.

He leans down, his lips brushing mine so lightly it’s almost a whisper, a teasing graze that leaves my heart pounding.

“I’m many things,” he murmurs, his voice low, a dangerous edge to it.

“But I don’t think anyone has ever described me as nice . ”

Blade’s large hand reaches out, his fingers brushing mine as he crouches in front of me, his touch surprisingly gentle.

He lifts me with a smooth, confident motion, his strength evident as he helps me stand.

His eyes lock onto mine, the intensity there, a silent promise hanging in the air between us.

My heart races as he pulls me to my feet, his grip firm yet tender, as if he’s making sure I don’t slip away. I steady myself, but it’s hard to focus with the heat radiating off him, the tension thickening in the air around us.

He doesn’t say anything, but the way his gaze lowers, lingering on my lips for just a moment, has my pulse quickening. His breath fans over my face, warm and steady, before he closes the space between us. Blade leans in as he tilts my head slightly, giving him just enough room to claim my lips.

The kiss is slow at first, testing as if he’s waiting for a response.

Blade’s lips press against mine with a quiet intensity that makes my breath catch.

When I don’t pull away, he deepens it, his mouth moving with a slow, deliberate force, the kiss becoming more urgent, more consuming.

His scent surrounds me, and I forget everything but the feel of his lips on mine.