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“Well, I thought it couldn’t. I was wrong.”
“She seems like a peach.”
“Venus flytrap on a good day.”
She lined herself up and threw the axe end over end. It slammed into the outer ring of the target, and she turned on him. “What’s happening?”
Kru studied her axe. “You need to straighten out your throw.”
“Kru,” she uttered.
He sighed. “It’s complicated.”
“Is she your mate?” Cadence didn’t know why that question had bubbled out of her, but suddenly, the answer felt very important.
Kru’s silence also felt very important.
It hurt, but she didn’t know why. Cadence dropped her head and nodded, then went to retrieve the axe and handed it to him. “No worries,” she murmured, shrugging it off.
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” she asked innocently.
“Shut down.”
“What do you need from me, Kru? Would you like for me to be your wingwoman?”
“Stop.” No smile existed on Kru’s face now.
“You want me to throw my hat in the ring? Want me to compete for your attention when you have your soulmate sitting at the bar glaring daggers at us?” she asked, jamming her finger at Sasha.
“It’s not like you think.”
“Okay, then explain how it is.”
“We’re just…”
“Say it.”
“We’re just…” He gripped his hips and glared at Sasha.
“Meant to be together?” she asked.
It was three breaths before he dragged his lightened gaze back to Cadence. “Do you like me?”
“How could I like you, Kru?” She knew it was harsh, but sometimes situations like this deserved harsh. “You belong to someone else. Lucas belongs to someone else. Gunner will belong to someone else. I’m tired of feeling like some freaking stepping stone.”
“Stepping stone?” Kru asked.
“I’m the one people use to get to their happily ever after. It’s the type of woman I am. I’m not a keeper. I’m filler.”
“That’s not fair,” Kru murmured low. “That’s not what you are.”
“It’s true, and you know it.”
Fury took over his face and he closed the gap between them. “Oh yeah,” he growled, his forehead pressing to hers. “Then why did you say you were her upgrade? Why did it ring of truth? If you’re filler, then why am I following you over here and not sitting at the bar with my past?” His eyes flashed lighter green, and before she could react, he angled his face and let his lips crash onto hers.
And he kissed the anger, the resentment, the sadness, everything…he kissed it right out of her. Cadence’s mind went completely blank as his mouth moved against hers. She got lost in the taste of him. Got lost in the feel of his hand gripping the back of her neck to keep her close. She lost herself in the way her head went quiet, and the only other person who existed was Kru. He eased back suddenly with a sexy smack of his lips and uttered, “You’re questioning your place with me, and you’re ignoring what I’ve been doing. I got the Crew together to make yesterday easier on you. I wanted to drive you here tonight for the excuse to put my hand on your thigh. I wanted to fucking eat every man you talked to tonight, counting down the tables until I could have your attention. I’ve been buying you drinks, while Sasha is playing her game with my head and buying herself drinks. You said come on, and I followed you like a lost fuckin’ puppy. Do you know who else could’ve done that for me when I’m in the head-fuck that Sasha gives me? Hmm?”
