“Are you looking for something?”I ask.
“You have coffee, but I can’t find your tea.”
“I don’t have any.”
“What?None?So, you only offer your guests coffee?”
I laugh.“Or water, and I don’t get many guests here.”
Her eyebrows shoot up to her hairline, then she grabs a glass and fills it from the faucet.The kettle on the stove whistles, and realizing there’s no tea, Hannah takes it off the heat and turns off the stove.With a quick smile, she pours me a cup of black coffee from my machine, impressing me with how effortlessly she overcomes the small hiccup and keeps going.Hannah picks up her glass of water and settles at my dining table.
“Bring your coffee and have a cookie.”
There’s something about her that makes me comply without question.The warmth in my chest expands as I take a seat opposite her.Hannah nudges the cookie container closer to me.I pick a slightly less burned one and take a cautious bite.
An unexpected sharpness grazes my tongue—salt instead of sugar, perhaps.I try not to cough, hastily washing it down with a large gulp of coffee.
“Are they good?”
I slide the container back toward her and manage a nod.“Yeah, have one.”
“I prefer mine with tea.”
Hannah’s gaze sweeps over my home, her eyes lingering on the bare walls and simple furniture.I can see the wheels turning in her head, comparing it to whatever she’s used to.For the first time, the space feels stark, almost impersonal.
“I built it myself,” I offer, breaking the silence.
Her head snaps toward me, her eyes wide with surprise.Her lips part slightly before she breathes out, “Wow.”She stands, her movements fluid, and crosses the room to the nearest wall.Placing her palm on one of the wooden logs, she traces a knot in the grain with her fingertips.“By yourself?”
I chuckle, the sound low and easy.“No, I had help from the men in my MC.”
“Ah, that’s right.”She turns back, her expression brightening with recognition.“I met one of your members at the diner in town.He gave me your address.”
My jaw tightens.“Who was it?”
“I think his name was Vex,” she says, her smile soft but oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.
Vex.I’m going to kill him.That idiot knows better than to give out my address.My hand tightens around the mug I’m holding, the ceramic warming my palm as I grit my teeth.
Hannah tilts her head, her smile faltering slightly.“Was that...not okay?”
I force a tight smile, though my tone betrays the edge of frustration.“Let’s just say Vex is going to get an earful.”
Hannah’s brows knit together, her lips pressing into a tight line.She pulls her hand away from the wall, letting it fall to her side.“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have come.I just wanted to thank you for the tow, considering you wouldn’t let me pay you.”Her voice is softer now, almost unsure, and the way her shoulders drop makes something twist uncomfortably in my chest.
“It’s not that,” I start, but the words catch in my throat.
Hannah crosses her arms across her chest.“If you don’t want me here, Blade, I can leave.”
“No.”The word bursts out of me louder than I intended, almost desperate.She freezes mid-step, staring at me with wide eyes.I scrub a hand over my face, cursing under my breath.“That’s not what I mean.” I sigh, shaking my head at my inability to string a damn sentence together.
Her arms drop, but she still looks uncertain, waiting for me to explain.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I say finally, my voice softer.“It’s not you.It’s Vex.He knows better than to just—” I break off, biting back another curse.“Hell, I’m glad you’re here, Hannah.I just wasn’t expecting you, that’s all.”
Her expression softens, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.“You’re glad I’m here?”
I nod, my throat dry.“Yeah, I am.I didn’t mean to make you feel like I’m not.You’re welcome here anytime.”
