Page 61 of Shattered Oaths

“Sure,” I say, climbing off the ATV and pushing it into the garage. “Hunter and Gray coming?”

Killian shrugs. “Hunter is. Gray, I’m not sure. Jaxon has also asked to tag along.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”

He chuckles, his eyes taking on a mischievous look. “Yep. He’s our DD tonight.”

***

Killian texts me to let me know that him and Jax will be at the ranch at six to pick us up and I fire off a quick response, letting him know that I will drive myself and pick up Hunter on the way.

It had only taken a few minutes after we parted earlier today for me the remember that Killian arriving at my house and seeing Bella’s car parked beside it would raise questions, I don’t have the answers for right now.

Driving myself also means that I can leave if Bella happens to end up needing me for something.

I shake that thought away as quickly as it comes. It’s been over twelve hours since I left a note on the pillow beside her and left for work and so far, I’ve heard nothing. Not even a text to let me know she saw it.

I almost drove over to her café earlier and asked her why she hadn’t texted me, but refrained, not wanting to go all caveman when I was the one who stopped things from progressing further last night.

I almost told her it was because I had made her brother a promise but stopped myself at the last minute, knowing it was a bullshit excuse. I broke that promise years ago. I broke it again the second my lips touched hers.

I wasn’t lying when I said I would get greedy. ‘Cause I will. I’ve wanted Bella every day since the first time and I know that once will never be enough for me.

The front door opens and the woman herself walks in. The heart in my chest picks up speed as she rounds the corner, her body draped in a pale-yellow dress that is stark against her sun-kissed skin. Blonde hair falls in natural loose waves down her back and her face glows, making her look almost ethereal.

God, she’s pretty.

A smile stretches across my face. “Hey, Bells.”

“Hey,” she says, her cheeks pink.

“Long day at the office?” I ask and instantly hate myself for it.Long day at the office?Apparently, it’s not just Killian I can’t make small talk around.

Bella smiles, moving to the fridge to take two bottles of beer, uncapping them both and handing one to me. “Yeah.It’s been busy with tourist season in full swing. Did you deal with your emergency?”

Her question comes out completely innocently, but her eyes betray her unspoken worry.She thinks I’m running.

I nod, rounding the island to her. I tuck a stray hair behind her ear and lift her chin with my thumb and forefinger. “There was a break in one of the fences. I’m sorry I left you like that, Bells.”

Her eyes flit back of forth between mine, searching for truth and I stay silent, letting her find what she’s looking for. After long minutes, she nods, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth.

I don’t even think about it, I lean down and press my mouth to hers, capturing her lip between my own teeth. Her body goes lax against me, her small hands finding my biceps and squeezing as she returns my kiss.

We pull apart at the same time, both of us breathless and I cup her face with both hands, my thumbs tracing her cheeks. “Your brother asked me to go for a drink with him tonight.”

Her expression switches from relaxed to panicked in an instant. “Does he know?”

I shake my head once. “No. He just needs some guy time.”

A relieved breath leaves her. “Okay.”

“We need to tell him you’re living here.”

She sighs. “I know. I just don’t know how to explain everything without him losing his shit.”

“He’s going to lose his shit regardless. But telling him is better than him finding out some other way.”

“And what about last night? Are we telling him about that?” She asks and my heart skips a beat just at the thought of owning up to that.