Darcy Branwyn

Tangled Moon

…”Some men have bigger teeth than others.”

“They sure do.” Nick arched his brows.

“Referring to yourself, I take it.”

He ducked his head so they were on the level. “Don’t let him rule you.”

“He doesn’t rule me.”

“Could have fooled me.”

“It isn’t like that. Not like you’re thinking.” She sighed, looking resigned. “There are things you don’t understand.”                                                                        

He softened his voice. “I’d like to. If you’d let me.”

“I’ll see you later.”

“Where are you staying?”

“Holland Road.”

“Not Judson’s old place?”

“That was the name of the man we bought it from.”

“You’re living there? It’s a dump.”

“Yeah, I know.” She glanced at his kitchen with its ancient, but running appliances. “We buy dives and fix them.”

She deserved better than that. She deserved better than a life spent wandering from forest to forest tracking deranged—bears? Nick’s jaw tightened. He couldn’t for the life of him accuse Danielle of outright dishonesty, but Lothar was another story. And that left him wondering if she was safe with him.   

“There’s no power out there,” Nick said, as if he could use that alone to convince her not to go.

“We have a generator.”

“No running water.”

“There’s a hand pump, but no warm water. Unless I heat it on the woodstove first.” 

“You can use my shower anytime.” Or she could stay. And use his shower.

Her eyes widened at the suggestion.

“If you want,” he said, like it didn’t matter to him if she stayed or not.

“Well, thanks.” She turned, opening the door. Nick knew he was losing her.

Lothar was outside looking tall, dark, and annoyed. Danielle said something to him as she left, her tone more compassionate than angry. Dang, but she knew his native language too. Lothar seemed relieved, or something. Either way, his face softened, showing a different man beneath the lead-lined exterior.

She looked over her shoulder as she headed downstairs, as if she really wasn’t sure what she wanted. Nick almost called her back, then realized the full extent of what he was doing, and let her go.

She didn’t share herself easily. Being in a relationship with Danielle wasn’t something he could jump right into. He still had a job back in New York. She didn’t like cities.

He needed to think this through…

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