Page 108 of Owned

“Don’t be so sure about that,” Blaze said. “Nipper may be small, but I discovered first-hand that he’s a fighter.” He lifted his arm to reveal several bite marks.

Ash choked out a laugh. “That thing savaged you, so you adopted it?”

“Everyone deserves a second chance.” Eden looked up at Blaze. “He just needed someone to love him.”

Blaze leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Oh, boy. Another couple blissfully happy, while Ash had an empty bed to go home to every night.

He glanced at Georgia. She was relaxed, a smile on her face as she bantered with everyone. Well, he sometimes had an empty bed. Ash wanted Georgia in his life full-time. He wanted much more than she gave him. He figured sex with her would be enough, but once he’d had a taste of Georgia, he wanted all of her.

Ash took a step back. He got it, the reason Georgia used him to scratch an itch and nothing else. He was fucked up, a scarred killer who’d failed when he was most needed.

He should be grateful to have Georgia in his life at all. She could use him however she liked. He’d deal with it.

It was his issue that he wanted more than she was willing to give. He’d agreed to the conditions. No strings sex whenever they both had free time and were up for it. He’d had no clue that getting Georgia naked would make him yearn for so much more.

“I don’t get this.” Georgia waved a hand at Blaze and Eden. “You’re official now?”

Eden lowered Nipper to the floor. “Go make some new friends.” She gave him a gentle nudge toward the cats, who was still staring at him. “What don’t you get?”

“You and Blaze. You told me I could have him.”

Eden’s cheeks flushed bright red. “Um... About that. I wasn’t thinking when I sent you that message.”

“What message did Eden send?” Blaze looked at Georgia.

Georgia’s smile grew sharp. “Eden didn’t tell you?”

“Shush. That’s ancient history.” Eden glared at her.

“I’m not letting you get away with this.” Georgia lifted both eyebrows. She enjoyed getting a rise out of people. “Eden said I could have you, Blaze.”

“She did? You want to trade up to me? You must be getting tired of Ash.” Blaze grinned at him.

“She’s not trading me for anyone,” Ash grumbled, knowing he had zero say in the matter.

Georgia glanced at him, and his heart did that annoying double tap. “Eden wanted to set me up with Blaze. The thought of having a hot new guy on my arm excited me.”

Ash suppressed a growl, his fingers digging into his palms. Of course, she wanted another guy. She’d never want him, not for anything more than a sweaty roll in the sheets now and again.

“Eden, is there something you need to tell me?” Blaze looked like he was trying not to laugh. “You’re bored with me?”

Eden flapped a hand against her flaming cheeks. “I had a lapse of sanity. Forget I ever sent that message, Georgia. Blaze is one hundred percent off limits. He’s all mine.”

Blaze caught her in his arms and kissed her. “You bet I am.”

Georgia made a gagging sound. “You two are disgustingly sweet. I could never put up with that. He’s all yours.”

Ash had no right to feel the searing jealousy that pulsed through him. He’d never have that with Georgia, but that wasn’t her fault. Most days, he struggled to even feel alive. He’d shut down his emotions after seeing too much bloodshed and causing so much chaos. It was easier that way.

But being with Georgia had kick-started his heart, and he had no clue what to do about that. Maybe there was nothing he could do. A siren like Georgia wouldn’t want anything real with him, and he had nothing to give her.

If he opened his shambles of a life to her, she’d leave him. She wouldn’t want him in her bed again. And he wasn’t sure he’d survive if he didn’t feel her touch again or the taste of her on his tongue when he went down on her.

“Hey, you good?” Striker nudged Ash.

He rolled his shoulders. “Sure. Never been better.”

“Let’s go grab some beers, celebrate these two coming home,” Striker said.

Heat fired through Ash as Georgia laughed again. “Sounds great.”

He’d figure out a balance with Georgia. He had to, before what was left of his heart was destroyed for good.