Page 20 of Another Man’s Treasure

When I toss it to her, she catches it and gobbles it down, then stares at me for another.

I feed her four more before she’s willing to snuggle up and stop huff-whining at me in that way only pit bulls really do. The door swings open just as I duck behind the bar to grab another tray of glasses. A small group of pit hells dashes through the door and around the side of the counter.

Smiling, I watch as the young ones dive beneath it to crawl all over Ginger, chewing on her ears and face and tail. Just puppies, but she’s sweet with them.

I end up feeding them a bunch of snacks before they give us space. No sooner have they left than the door opens yet again.

“We’re still closed!” I shout as I shake my head at the constant intrusions and look toward the door.

Wilder stands on the other side of the bar with a box from Skylight Bakery in one hand and a dozen roses in the other. Shock courses through me, and I lash my tail from side to side.

“I hurt your feelings,” he says without preamble. “And I’m sorry for that.” He steps to the bar and sets the box down. “I know snacks are a gargoyle’s love language, so I started there.” He lays the flowers down next. “These just felt right.”

I struggle to find words when he reaches into his pocket and withdraws a dog treat. He hands it to me with a soft smile. “For your, I mean our, dog.” He offers me a half smile. “I can’t be party to matching pajamas, but I’m good for snacks.”

Fingers trembling, I take the treat and turn to my sweet girl. When I offer it to her, she takes it with a grateful lick, crunching it loudly under the counter.

When I stand back up to face Wilder, he smiles at me. “Sounds like she accepts my apology…will you? I’m…gruff and sarcastic, I know that.” He runs a hand through his pale hair, dislodging the long bangs closest to his brow. “It don’t always work in my favor, Oz, but I looked at what you put together. Promise I did. I’m appreciative even though I didn’t seem it in the moment.”

I roll my shoulders, sighing as I consider the apology. After a minute, I look back at him. “I didn’t mean to unload my relationship drama on you, I just…I didn’t like what I became when I dated Saint. I don’t want to be like that again, even with you, even if it’s not real.” Waving around at the restaurant, who waves back at me, I smile. “Who I am now is the real me, a happy me. I like that.”

Wilder sits on the closest barstool and opens up the box from Skylight. Turning it toward me, he smiles. I think it’s the first smile I’ve seen from him, and it transforms his face. Dimples pop on either side of his lush mouth. Wrinkles edge his eyes, and he looks so good like that, staring at me without being…guarded.

“We all deserve happiness and to be who we are, Oz,” he says softly. “Despite our circumstances, I don’t ever want to take that from you. So if you think I am, always tell me, alright?”

I snatch a chocolate chip cookie from the box and layer a marshmallow cutie on top of it. After smashing them together, I shove it in my mouth, moaning when the flavors burst off my tongue. Wilder watches in silence.

When I manage to swallow, I shoot him a cutesy smile. “We making progress, boy toy? Because chocolate chips plus marshmallow cuties are my favorite combo. It’s like you’re seeing into my soul already.”

He smiles, but it’s wry. And then he says…nothing.

Okay. So maybe just the tiniest smidgen of progress.

“Nope, that’s my job!”

We both spin toward the door where Willa enters, sauntering in wearing black leather pants and a leather bustier that pushes her substantial tits up and out. She’s hella muscular and almost as tall as Wilder. In this getup, she wouldn’t look out of place going to a sex club.

“Where’s your whip, Domme Mommy?” I tease as she slides onto the stool next to Wilder’s.

She flashes me a pleased grin. “I’ve been up all night at the Auction House, which is apparently where you all keep your records, I guess?” She lifts both hands and shakes her head. “Make it make sense. But anyway, a lot of the property data doesn’t add up, and we need to dig into it.” She looks over at Wilder. “You were right to want to check into that a little further. I have a lot of questions for Saint Ashbourne.”

I look between the siblings. Wilder nods, his lips pursed into that same uncomfortable frown he’s worn nearly every moment since we met.

Willa chuckles and flicks her forefinger between us. “Wait, is Wild already apologizing for something? Do tell! He’s not usually great at this part of relationships.”

“Wills,” he says with a warning growl.

She slaps his broad chest. “What? I love you, but you’re not.” Her green eyes flash in the mid-morning light. “You wanna come with us, Oz? I’m curious to see what effect your presence has on Saint, given…things.”

I bark out a nervous laugh, glancing at Wilder to find his expression more neutral.

When he notices my gaze, he smirks. “I’ll hold your hand and buy you more marshmallow treats.”

Looking between them, I laugh. “Are you two serious right now? And is there a joking side of Wilder that only you bring out, Willa?”

She throws a dramatic hand over her heart. “He even makes jokes in my presence, if you can believe it!”

Wilder emits one of his usual noncommittal noises.