“You got the first roll,” he said, gesturing toward the lane and ignoring my question. I was pretty sure there was steam coming from my ears as I walked to the lane. I took one last look at Willow who was at the counter getting shoes with Thomas before picking up a ball.

Two strikes later, I was admitting that I sucked at bowling but didn't have time to pout about it because in swaggered a pissed off Dash. Right now he was a far cry from the easygoing, playboy who could charm the panties off any girl he chose.

He headed straight for Willow where she was two lanes away looking bored. Willow had yet to see him when he came up behind her. He snatched Thomas’ arm from her shoulder before gripping the back of her neck, picking up her purse and shoes and guiding her towards the door.

He gave a brief nod to Keiran and Keenan as he passed us with Willow who never said a word. She was either in shock or just happy to be ending her date. Just like that he was out the door with her. It ended as fast as it had begun.

I turned accusing eyes on the culprits who shrugged and feigned innocent looks. I wasn’t buying it. They called him here. I looked over two lanes at Thomas who was red-faced and confused. Poor guy. He seemed nice enough but he unknowingly entered a battle he had no hope of winning. Ever.

“Are you going to let me call her?”

“Why?” He picked up his ball for his turn.

“To make sure she’s okay?” Guys could be so dense.

“She’s okay.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I know Dash.”

“And I know Willow.” I held out my hand, indicating that I wanted my phone. He held my gaze and reached into his pocket.

“You’re a handful, you know that?”

“So they keep telling me.” I turned away and immediately dialed Willow. I had to phone her twice before she answered.

“Aren’t you on a date?” I heard Dash’s smooth voice filter through the line.

“Why are you answering her phone? Put her on.”

“No.”  That was all I heard before the line went dead.  I looked over at Keiran who was trying his best not to look amused.

“Satisfied?” He asked with a smirk. I made a face and pocketed my phone.

“Whatever. Is it my turn? Where did Keenan and Sheldon go anyway?” I was more than annoyed and didn’t do anything to hide it.

He shrugged and picked up my ball then handed it to me. “You suck at this.”

“Thanks. I didn’t notice,” I quipped.

He ignored my sarcasm and wrapped his arms around me, duck walking us to the lane. “You got a good ball but you need to adjust your stance. Your legs are spread too wide.”

He kicked my left foot forward slightly and adjusted my stance.

“Now when you aim, aim for the right since you are right handed. You’re aiming for the middle, which is causing a split that is when you actually do hit the pins. It makes it hard to get the rest. I want you to release the ball in front of you. Don’t swing back so much because if you hurt yourself and hit those pretty, long legs and can’t wrap them around me, I’ll be mad as fuck at you. Bend at the knees not at your back. The only thing allowed to break your back out is me and I promise you will love it but this way, not so much. Pay attention to your aim. You’r3 not aiming at the pins, your aiming at the arrow you want the ball to follow. The pins just happen to be in the way.”

I’ll be honest here. I wasn’t sure if we were talking about bowling or sex. Maybe Sheldon was right and I am dick dizzy.

“Let’s see you try.” Oh, bowling. Right.

I tried to remember what he said once he released me and his scent wasn’t driving me nuts. I kept my stance like he told me and aimed for the arrows and released. The ball smoothly rolled forward and hit the pins.

All except one fell but I released a victory shout, which was probably more like a screech. I turned around and jumped on Keiran wrapping my legs around his waist and kissing him. When I finally came up for air I looked down at him.

“Good job. Let’s see if we can get a strike.”

“Or you can take me home now and do what you promised…”

* * *

Sheldon told her parents that she would be sleeping over with a friend so we headed straight to Keiran and Keenan’s house. I didn’t know how comfortable I was yet sleeping over at Keiran’s house but he didn’t give me much choice after I gave him the green light to take me home.

Thinking about how Keiran hunted down Sheldon and Keenan from their dark corner and practically threw our shoes at the poor cashier before hauling ass out of the alley brought a smile to my face.

We entered the house and I noticed once again that their uncle wasn’t home. I tried not to judge, thinking about how often Aunt Carissa was on the road because of her career. I didn’t know their story so it wasn’t my place to form an opinion.

Keiran seemed indifferent to his uncle’s absence but I noticed how Keenan would discreetly look around before disappointment shadowed his features. He never let it show for long though. As quickly as it would come, it was gone again.

I knew how it felt to wonder if your parents loved you or not. At least he knew where his was…or if they were even alive and didn’t abandon you… I shook off the thought and turned to Keiran who was watching me.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Why do you always want to know what I’m thinking?”

“Because you’re still hiding.”

Was that what I was doing? A part of me still believed that this was a cruel joke and he still hated me. Ten years of fear doesn’t just fade away does it?

“So are you.” It was the only thing I could think of to take the heat off me.

“Maybe. But not because I don’t trust you.” His tone was accusatory. “But because I think it will keep you safe.”

“From what?”

“Me.” His expression was pained. I definitely needed answers.

“Did I ask you to protect me?”

“It kind of comes with the package.” His lips curled in a sneer and I could tell he was pissed.

“Well I did pretty well when you were the threat. Maybe you still are…”

“You’ll find out if I’m still a threat as soon as you get your ass in my bed.”

“Is that all you care about?” I asked, feigning anger.

“At the moment.”

“You can be such an asshole.” I moved to sit on the couch and got comfortable. I wanted to remain in the living for as long as possible to keep us on equal grounds. As soon as he gets me into his bedroom I knew all bets were off.

“What the fuck do you want from me, Lake? I’m trying.”

“I never asked you to!” I screamed the words before I could catch them. When had we started to argue?

“And I’ll never give you a choice!” he roared back. He was standing on the other side of the room but I felt his anger as if he was standing right in front of me. “You keep fighting this. Fighting me. Why?” His voice was guttural and pained. I wanted nothing more than to give him what he wanted but I couldn’t. I was still holding on.

“Because I don’t believe in happy-ever-after, Keiran. You took that away from me a long time ago. How am I supposed to forgive you if I don’t even know why?” My voice broke at the last.

I lifted my head and saw him turn away from me to face the wall. His hands gripped the built-in bookcase as his back tightened with tension.

“Keiran, please –”

“I was going to the court to play basketball, just like every day. I didn’t intend to like the game. I just wanted to embrace the one thing I was good at besides what I was taught to do. I would even sneak out in the middle of the night to play so I wouldn’t have to sleep. John finally caught me one night, so he put up the hoop in the back. It didn’t stop me from leaving, though because I wasn’t willing to accept anything from him. I didn’t want to have to say thank you because what the hell would I have to be thankful for? Eventually the nightmares stopped and I could sleep again…until you came along.”