Page 40 of Tiger Bitten

“It’s not like what Stellan’s Cat did, man. It’s different. Ren is fine.”

“Well, just to be safe, maybe I should stay the night in here.”

Dame snorted. “Get out of my cage. I have a room for you two to stay in.”

“I booked a hotel for her.”

“Cancel it,” Dame said, walking toward a door near the fridge. “Misty and I had an apartment built for reunions. Stellan is in the RV. You two can have the apartment.”

Mars stood there frozen, but Ren tugged on his hand. “Come on,” she said, her heart full to the brim with happiness.

“I…”

“Am good. You’re good,” she assured him.

Mars blew out a long breath and huffed a soft laugh. He nodded his head. “Okay.”

“Yeah?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

He slid his big strong hand around hers and led her past Misty, who was looking at them with mushy tears in her eyes. She squeezed Ren’s other hand as she passed, and it was such a comfort. She really liked Misty.

“Dinner’s at six,” Dame said as he held open the door for them. And with that, he turned and slung his arm around Misty’s shoulders and gave them space.

“Towels are in the closet,” Misty called before the door swung closed and Ren and Mars were alone.

The renovated space was attached to the barn and probably looked like a tack room from the outside, but inside, the walls had been painted in a nice, soothing taupe color, with white wainscoting around the spacious studio style apartment. There was a bed against the back wall with a deep mauve comforter and beige throw pillows. One accent wall boasted beige and white floral wallpaper and a small kitchen area complete with a mini fridge and a two-burner stove. The bathroom was in the corner, and was small, but had a full shower, sink, and toilet combo in it.

On the shining hardwood floors was thrown a fuzzy rug, and the room had little pictures and knickknacks that made it feel homey. Ren ran her finger down the cool countertop and lifted the clean coffee mug from the one cup instant coffee maker. Across the mug was printed Close to Home.

She smiled at it, tracing the raised print. “They put a lot of work into this guest house,” she said softly. She turned to find Mars sitting on the edge of the bed, watching her. His eyes were still tight from that lingering headache, but his smile was freely given and full of relief.

“Hi handsome boy.”

“Hey pretty girl.”

“I have a request.”

“Of course I can sleep on the floor. It’s no problem. Or I can sleep on the cot in the cage and give you this whole place. I really don’t mind.”

“No, not that. Can I have your phone so I can delete the messages Stellan sent me? I’m embarrassed by my responses. I feel…well…I feel tricked and exposed, and I don’t want you to see what was said.”

Mars nodded. “Sure.” He unlocked his phone and handed it to her.

She opened up the text thread, and a blush of mortification heated her cheeks as she went through and deleted those embarrassing texts. At least he wouldn’t know she’d been tricked into telling Stellan I love you.

Mars had drifted into the bathroom and was opening a little travel package of a toothbrush and a tiny toothpaste. He removed his shirt and tossed it to the ground, then turned on the shower water. She watched as he brushed his teeth and leaned on a locked arm on the counter, eyes on the sink.

“Everything is okay,” she assured him.

He shook his head. “This was all a mess. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I had it all planned to be smooth, and for you to just have fun here.”

“Yeah, but I’m here, and you’re here, and I’m not your Rabbit and now we can just be the friends we were meant to be.” Yeah, it was a test.

“I’m not your friend and you know it.” He straightened his spine and looked at her in the mirror, then spat toothpaste and rinsed his mouth. He turned and shucked his pants, eyes on her as he slid out of every piece of clothing on him. He stood there, strong and tall, muscular body on full display. “I’m going to get into the shower now.”

“Okay,” she whispered, staring at his flexed six pack.