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“Seems we need to rectify that.”

A wispy giggle filled the air. “Here I am being selfish and making you have greedy eyes.”

I definitely had greedy eyes, it just had nothing to do with the pie.

“I just needed to verify it was palatable before I subjected you to it.”

“By your reaction, I’m pretty sure it passed the test.”

“See for yourself.” She dunked the fork back into the pie and offered me a bite.

Flavor exploded on my tongue.

Apples and cinnamon. A sugary flakiness mixed with the gooey filling.

Might as well be tasting that forbidden fruit right then with the way the energy throbbed and glowed. A shimmery light that grew too big to fit into the room.

Heaviness rising between us though it still somehow felt like I was floating.

“Good?” she whispered as I swallowed down the treat.

“Delicious,” I rumbled.

Maybe she’d hypnotized me with that fork after all because I stood there like an idiot and allowed her to take turns feeding me bites of the pie.

Both of us groaning and mumbling about how good it was. Both turning giddy. Drunk on the sugar and the mood.

Reckless, considering danger had literally just shown up at her door.

I needed to not get complacent. Needed to remember what we were up against. But it was too easy to pretend when I was around Elena.

To get comfortable because when I was with that family, that was the only thing I’d ever been.

Anchored when I’d been drifting in torment and pain.

But I had to remember to keep a distance. Redelineate the line I could never cross.

I grabbed a napkin and swiped it over my lips. “I need to go out and check the perimeter.” My voice was gruff, thickened with affection.

Worry filled Elena’s face, like she’d gotten too comfortable and had forgotten who we were, too. “Okay.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

Her nod was understanding, and I forced myself away from her, boots heavy on the floor as I plodded to the window next to the door. I pulled back the drape and peered out.

The sky was written with the night. Darkness gathered like a shroud, though the moon and stars gleaming against the ominous blanket hued it in an offering of peace. Like it could stand the chance of chasing away the bleakness that fought to invade.

The sconces and streetlamps dotting the parking lot below joined in the mix, sending a yellow glow disseminating over the area.

As far as I could tell, there was no movement outside the door other than a single pickup truck that drove by on the road.

I unlatched the lock and stepped out, and I immediately drew it shut and locked it behind me. Making sure Elena would be secure while I searched the lot.

My eyes roved as I moved across the top landing, keen, muscles bunched and on guard, my stride sure so any cum stain lurking out in the shadows would know I was not to be fucked with.

I kept my gun snug in its holster so I wouldn’t send the neighbors screaming for the hills.

Elena had already garnered enough speculative glances from her new neighbors, judgement cast just from her association to me and the rest of the Crimson Crows who’d helped get her moved.