Page 4 of Knotting Before Them

But why wouldn’t she say so? Why come up with this mountain view nonsense?

No. Julia didn’t know.

“After New York, I think we lived in Paris for six months. I have some baby pictures there. And then Croatia and Poland. I know I was around three when we were in Russia. I think I was seven when we lived in Buenos Aires…”

“So you lived everywhere?” I cut her off.

She nodded. “Nowhere is home.”

Again, breaking my goddamn heart. She was hope, sadness, and relentless energy at the same time. She was a lot just to look at, her intensity overwhelming me.

I felt like I knew her, like I was meant to help her.

I had to close my hand in a fist so as not to reach for her silky hair, to keep my mouth shut and not ask personal questions.

I was friendly, sure, way more so than Wylder or Noah, but I wasn’tthatfriendly. The B&B had plenty of people coming and going over the years. Plenty of girls threw themselves at me, but I never wanted anyone, not when I knew they weren’t my mates.

Julia, though? I wanted to bring her home, even at the risk of being wrong.

That settled the madness. My heart couldn’t take it anymore; I couldn't stand a second longer without touching her. It was too much. So I finished my beer at once, stood, and nodded. “Okay, Julia Apaza. You can stay at my home.”

“Wait here until Iget my stuff?” I asked, but he was already opening his door, circling the truck to open mine.

Goddamn.

The stranger-danger alarm should be blasting in my ears right now, but I was nothing but giddy at the possibility of getting into that cabin.

Theo accepted my offer. He didn’t even blink when I proposed payment. Suddenly, we were out of the bar and jumping into his truck to grab my stuff at the B&B.

Apparently, I was moving in today.

I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but Theo seemed solid, and I meant that in every sense of the world.

I held my tongue from asking if his truck was custom-made. The thing was as big and tall as him, and he had to lift me up by the waist into the passenger seat.

That should’ve made me feel like a child, but instead, I blushed hard and hid behind my hair so he wouldn’t notice.

Now, here we were again. “You don’t need to—” I started, but he was again at my door.

This was embarrassing.

I just asked the guy to be my landlord—I couldn’t be developing a crush.

If I thought really about it, it would be my very first crush. I was never at school to see a boy across the class and wish for seven minutes in heaven during a party. When it was time for college, I was too invested in my studies. I always had too much to prove. Partying all night long was the last thing on my mind.

I finished college and started taking sculpting seriously. Mom and Dad were huge supporters, showing me off to their friends, but I always thought they were just being nice.

Then, when I was about to turn twenty-five, they died and left me alone in this world. Rich, sure, with more connections than anyone would ever need, but still utterly alone.

Connections don’t build a family. Business transactions don’t guarantee loyalty. I had no one, and caring for the big man seemed too easy.

Before my feet reached the snow-covered ground, my whole body slid against his, and I could swear my panties went damp. I looked up at him, blushing like crazy while Theo looked tortured. His mouth dropped open, his eyes wild.

“Go gather your things,” he said roughly, taking a step back. “I’ll let Lana know.”

Lana and her husband were the owners of the B&B. When I said husband, I meant I was sure one of them was her husband. Lana and four men ran the place. I gathered they were all family, but I wasn’t quite sure what the relationship was yet.

Part of me was very curious.