Kane’s gaze drifted back to Monica. She glanced up at that exact moment, like shefelthim staring. When she caught his eyes, she gave him this small, genuine smile that punched him right in the gut.
Damn, he could stare into those eyes all fucking day. Val had been right...blue was starting to becomehisfavorite color.
There was definitely something between them, something he felt in the places he never let anybody touch. But was she, his mate? Hell if he knew. What he did know and what terrified himwas how out of nowhere the feelings became so fucking intense where she was concerned.
Yeah, he’d been attracted to her from the minute they met. And if he was being brutally honest with himself, he’d thought about her way more than any woman he’d ever been with—and he’d been with more than he cared to count.
“You went after Creed pretty hard for Creed being Creed,” Charger said, brow raised. “If you want my expert opinion?—”
“I don’t,” Kane cut him off, low and dangerous.
“I’d say she’s definitely your mate, my friend.” Charger finished anyway, unfazed.
The words hit Kane like a blow he hadn’t braced for, and the worst part was that he didn’t disagree.
His gaze went back to her, and he noticed her looking at her phone. Tossing his empty beer bottle in the trash, he headed her way. “Anything?”
She shook her head, looking up at him. “No,” She replied with a frown as she stood.
“It’s still fairly early,” Raven said as she stood up. “Still time for this guy to answer.”
Kane nodded with a frown. “So, what were you two talking about?” Kane asked and wanted to kick his own ass when Raven gave him that damn smirk she was so good at giving. When in the fuck did he care what women talked about? Never, that’s when. Dammit, he was losing his shit in real time over this woman.
“This and that,” Raven said in a voice that indicated she was really enjoying Kane’s discomfort. She then turned her attention to Monica. “You got my number. You need anything, just give me a call.”
“Thanks, Raven,” Monica smiled with a nod.
Raven then passed Kane, giving him a knowing smile. He narrowed his gaze in warning, but she only laughed.
“She’s nice,” Monica said, drawing his attention back to her. “Actually, they all seem nice… even though they look like they could kill me without blinking. But that Creed guy keeps staring at me.”
Kane had to physically stop himself from walking across the room and punching Creed straight in the mouth. The asshole was, in fact, staring—locked onto Monica’s ass like he had a death wish. As if he could feel Kane’s glare, Creed glanced up and flashed him a wide, unapologetic grin.
“Fucker,” Kane muttered, pinning him with a look that promised consequences.
Then Kane turned back to Monica. “We’re leaving.”
He took her hand automatically, instinctively, like it was where it belonged, and led her outside toward his bike. Halfway there, he felt a shift in her mood as her hand loosened in his. Yeah, he felt it as if his own mood was connected to her. Okay, that was really telling. Kane slowed, then stopped completely, turning her to face him.
She looked up. “What?” she asked, clearly confused by the way he was studying her.
“That’s what I was about to ask you,” Kane said, his voice low, searching her eyes. “What’s wrong? Did Raven say something to upset you?”
Her lips twitched. “Like what?” she asked lightly. “All the women you’ve been with?”
Kane cursed under his breath and looked away, already planning Raven’s funeral. He’d never hidden who he was, never pretended to be anything other than exactly what he was, but suddenly, it mattered—a hell of a lot.
“Hey.” Monica stepped closer, forcing his attention back to her. “Raven didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to. I mean… look at you.” She gave a small laugh, shaking her head. “And yeah, I heard the guys talking.”
Relief hit him hard and fast, followed immediately by something sharper. Something real. Kane realized, with unsettling clarity, that he cared what this woman thought of him. When that had happened, he didn’t fucking know. Only that it had, and it had him completely off balance.
“And that doesn’t bother you?” he asked. He knew how it sounded. Most women either lost their minds or used his past as ammunition, not that he cared. He just moved on. Sounded heartless, and maybe it was.
Monica tilted her head. “Would it bother you knowing I’ve been with other men?” she asked calmly. “Probably fewer than the women you’ve been with—but still.”
“Fuck yes,” Kane said without hesitation, knowing that his response wasn’t sensible because she was a beautiful woman. Of course, there had been men in her past, but that didn’t keep his rage at bay.
Her brows shot up, and he immediately added, dead serious, “I want their names so I can find them and beat the hell out of them.”