Page 39 of March 5

Meow.

"Flower." Skye scooped up the black cat and cradled it against her chest. "Did she scratch you?"

It wasn't Skye. She hadn't touched him. His heart pounded. It was the damn cat.

He grunted. "I need a smoke."

He left the table without finishing dinner and went outside. Once the screen door slapped shut, he lit a cigarette and walked to his bike. He wanted to ride off and forget about spending the time with Maverick's family.

Sitting next to Skye and pretending everything was okay was too hard.

He exhaled harshly, blowing the smoke in the air. It was the fucking cat that was touching him. He was ready to drill a hole in her, thinking she was teasing him.

Where was his fucking head?

He inhaled deeply, wishing he had a joint on him. God Damnit. Skye was making him lose all control over his life. He couldn't even sit at a table and have dinner with those closest to him.

"Dio?"

He whirled around at the sound of Skye's voice. He wasn't angry at her. She'd done nothing wrong.

His anger was toward himself.

"I'm sorry." She rubbed her arms. "Flower's getting old and cranky. She even scratches me if she wants to be left alone. Sometimes, I wonder if she holds it against me for leaving her with Dad and AuntBrooke when I moved into a no-pet apartment."

"No worries." He sucked on the cigarette.

Skye smiled sweetly. "Do you remember when I got her?"

"About twelve years ago." He flicked the coal off his smoke and pocketed the butt. "You were determined to save the cat population in Seaglass Cove."

She laughed softly. "I was cat crazy."

The ease of their conversation calmed him. He stuck his hands in his pockets, knowing for both their sake, he needed to get out of there before something else happened.

Dio walked to Skye, kissed her forehead, and said, "Tell your folks thanks for dinner, but I need to take off."

She nodded, studying him. He walked away from her and got on his bike. Putting on his black helmet, he started the engine and rode away.

It was better that way.

Nobody got hurt.

Chapter Seventeen

Mariah walked out of the bathroom, wearing a pair of denim shorts and a black lace tank she borrowed from Skye. "I'll be fine as long as I don't bend over."

"It can't be that bad." Skye twirled her finger in the air. "Let me see."

Mariah leaned over. The tank gaped, showing her breasts.

Skye laughed. "Honestly, the one you had on earlier showed more. This one does it in a sexier way."

"That's what I'm going for. Pure, raw, uncontrollable sex." Mariah patted her chest, pressing the material to her skin.

She sat on the couch and put her bare feet on the cushion. "So, where are you and Brett going?"

"To his place."