But it shouldn’t.
Because this was just about the sex.
“Never you mind, brat. Because you’re not calling me that.”
She giggled. “I want to meet whoever gave you that nickname.”
He tensed at that thought. She and Dahlia would probably get along well. In some ways, they were alike. Which was surprising since he’d never been attracted to Dahlia. Despite what Markovich had thought. She was more like an annoying little sister who talked a lot.
Maeve had more confidence in some ways. And perhaps less in others. He couldn’t imagine Dahlia making a bet where she’d blow him if she lost.
Well, not him . . . that thought was just wrong on so many levels. But with Markovich.
Dahlia was less confident around other people. She had some issues with touch. And she got anxiety attacks. The only person she seemed comfortable with touching her was Markovich.
Maeve was almost the opposite. She didn’t seem to be worried enough. She was amazingly resilient. Surprisingly so. He wondered if she’d properly dealt with being attacked the other night or if she’d just buried it. That was something he’d do. Bury shit until it didn’t affect him.
But he didn’t like the idea of Maeve doing that.
Even though she’d been alone at The Edge, everyone had gravitated toward her. And she tried to talk to everyone, giving out compliments like they were candy on Halloween.
However, there was one thing where Maeve and Dahlia were very similar.
They were both too brave and courageous for their own good. They needed to learn to run and hide when there was danger, not run into it with a crowbar in Dahlia’s case and a pair of velvet high heels in Maeve’s.
Yeah, that was unacceptable.
“Or maybe not,” she said quietly. Sadness filled her face now and he didn’t like that.
But why . . . oh, because she’d said she wanted to meet Dahlia and he hadn’t said anything at all.
“Baby,” he murmured softly, hating to see her hurt and knowing he’d caused it.
“It’s okay, big guy,” she told him. “I get it.”
What did she get? She didn’t know his reasoning. It wasn’t just about keeping this on a physical level. It was that she didn’t need to get drawn into his world. That would be dangerous for her.
Yet another reason for him to stay away. It wasn’t just his ties to Markovich. There were things about him she didn’t know. And if she did, then she wouldn’t want anything to do with him.
So he selfishly wasn’t going to tell her.
“It’s just best we keep our lives separate.”
“It’s all good. I have stuff in my life too. I get it.”
What sort of stuff was she talking about? What was going on in her life? Was something worrying her? Was someone threatening her?
“Tell me.”
She stared up at him in shock. “W-what?”
“Tell me now. What is it? Tell me and I’ll fix it.”
She shook her head with a soft smile on her face. “Not your problem.”
He didn’t like that answer, but then she placed her mouth over the head of his dick. His boxers were on, but he could still feel the heat of her mouth surrounding him. With a groan, he tilted his head back.
Fuck. Him.