He pressed his hand against my lips and pushed me away. “I’m not running from this, Byron.”
I growled low in my throat and nipped at the end of his fingers. “It’s not running if I’m keeping you safe, Wilder.”
His eyes grew fierce as he stared at me. “You can’t just lock me away, Byron.”
“I can if it’ll keep you away from anything that wants to hurt you,” I rumbled.
He snorted. “Byron, I’m pretty sureyouwant to hurt me.”
“Only in a way you’ll enjoy,” I said sulkily.
Wilder’s mouth quirked up in a smile. “That’s kind of sweet.”
I cupped his face and stared deep into his eyes. “I’m fairly certain it’s actually abusive behaviour but yeah, we’ll go with ‘sweet’.”
Wilder went quiet for a moment and dropped his gaze to the bed. I wanted to ask what it was, but something held me back. I didn’t want to force him to tell me. I wanted him to trust me enough to tell me whatever was on his mind.
When he looked at me again, there was a wariness about his mouth and concern darkening his eyes. “Have you ever heard of the Memory Wraith?”
“Yes,” I said slowly. “Bit of a weirdo and likes to keep to himself.”
“I, um, have his business card. A friend of mine gave it to me and—”
“What?” I hissed. The guy was crazy, which was a lot coming from me. “Why would you even think about contacting him?”
“I want my memories back, Byron and I thought you, of all people, would help me do that.”
“Just because I’m a psychopath, doesn’t mean I’m stupid,” I muttered. “The Memory Wraith is a powerful asshole who abuses his customers.”
Wilder folded his arms across his bare chest. “So, I’ve heard.”
There was a bite to his words and a determination in his eyes. Wilder was going to do this whether I helped him or not. At least with me there, he stood a better chance of surviving. “Fine, but we do it my way.”
“Fine,” he huffed like a petulant teen. “But we’re doing it tomorrow.”
“If that’s what you want.”
He lifted his chin. “It is.”
“You’re so cute when you’re pouty.”
Wilder’s eyes narrowed to two aggressive slits. “Keep talking like that and I might punch you in the face.”
I closed the distance between us, loving the way he swallowed and leaned back slightly, a flush blooming across his pale skin. It was like he couldn’t help the adrenaline rush that burst to life with in him every time I was near. “You can try to punch me in the face, but I’ll retaliate by making you run. And then I’ll fuck you where I find you.”
He sucked in a short breath. “I’ll fight back.”
Music to my fucking ears. “I hope you always fight back, baby.”
It seemed like Wilder was coming around to the idea of ‘us’ which excited me in a way I’d never really felt before.
“Now come on, let’s get some food. You’re going to need it for what I plan to do to you this afternoon.” I hopped out of bed and into the bathroom. This was definitely the best Christmas ever.
Chapter Fourteen
Wilder
Yikes.