“Thanks.”
“Do they mean anything?”
“Yeah,” he says, dropping his pants until he’s in his boxers.
“What?” I ask, eyes wide.
“They mean it’s time to sleep.”
I thump his shoulder when he sits on the bed beside me, and he grins. “They’re just designs I like, nothing special. You got any secret tattoos you want to show me?”
I laugh. “Nice try, but no. I don’t have any. I’m too chicken.”
He smiles and then nods at my shirt and shorts. “You sleep in that?”
“Ah. No.”
“Well, get changed.”
He climbs into the bed like he’s been there a thousand times before. So much for the shy, broody man I met a few days ago. It feels like we’ve been talking for weeks. I guess a situation like what we experienced will do that to someone. Still, I didn’t really expect he’d be so comfortable with me. I like it. It makes me feel safe, and I don’t get that feeling very often anymore.
I grab a pair of cotton shorts and a tank and go into the bathroom to get changed. It’s only midday, but we’re both so exhausted. I brush my teeth and my hair, then I join him on the bed, hesitantly sliding in. He doesn’t wait, he rolls and takes hold of me, pulling me to his chest and wrapping an arm around me. “I won’t bite, sweetheart.”
“You seemed broody and shy a few days ago.”
“You were broody and shy. I was just acting how you were acting.”
“I was not,” I protest.
“I tried to smile at you once and you practically ran in the opposite direction.”
“I’m shy, okay!”
He chuckles. “I don’t mind. The closet sorted it out for me. If I knew how clumsy you were, I would have planned that myself.”
“How kind. Getting a girl to like you by making sure she locks herself in a closet. Some people would call that creepy, Oliver.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, well, it worked. I got to talk to you.”
“And get locked in a closet with me. Twice.”
“And chase you around wearing a wolf costume.”
“Creepy,” I laugh.
“Totally.”
“I’m glad, though,” I admit. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had fun, and since I’ve felt so comfortable with anyone. I mean, you could still be a killer for all I know, but at least you’re nice to me.”
He snorts. “I’m not a killer. And if I was, I wouldn’t be trying to sleep next to you, I’d be subtly holding the pillow over your head.”
I giggle. “True.”
“I don’t have it in me to be a killer. I’m too nice.”
I feign a gasp. “I don’t believe it. I saw how you took on the role of wolf when you were wearing that mask. That wasn’t nice, Oliver.”
He pinches me lightly. “A man has to do what he has to do to get the girl.”
“Who says you’ve got me?”
He rolls me so I’m facing him and presses a soft kiss to my lips. His eyes lock with mine, and my heart flutters. “Might not have you yet, but I’ll get you, sweetheart. Don’t you worry about that. I’ve met a lot of people in my life, but none who have just fit in so effortlessly. We were meant to meet each other, of that I’m sure.”
I smile. “I think so, too. Even if we did spend our first few times together getting chased around by a bunch of angry teenagers.”
“Don’t forget the closet.” He chuckles.
“Oh, I won’t forget it. In fact, I’m already planning our second date in there. I have it all mapped out.”
“So long as you’re there, I don’t mind,” he says, kissing me again and sliding a stray piece of hair from my face.
“You know yesterday was Halloween, so that means we pretty much got together on Halloween. I’m not sure that’s a good start.”
“Well, depends how you look at it,” he says, stroking his thumb over my cheek.
“Do elaborate,” I say, raising my brows.
“Well, most people get together on any old day of the week. You and I got together on a really cool day, and we have a story to tell because of it.”
“Actually,” I say, smiling shyly, “we’re not actually together, not yet anyway. We’re just . . . thinking that’s where we’ll go. I’m not letting your heroic efforts of shoving me into a closet while getting chased by a bowling ball sway me.”
He chuckles. “I’ll make more of an effort next time, really get you where I want you.”
I laugh. “I’m glad I met you, Oliver.”
He kisses me again. “Me too, sweetheart.”
“And hey . . .” His eyes meet mine. “Happy Halloween.”
Don’t miss these other titles from USA TODAY bestselling author BELLA JEWEL
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Alpha’s Heart
Hard to Fight
Hard to Break
Hard to Forget
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Anguish
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The MC Sinners Series
Hell’s Knights
Heaven’s Sinners
Knights’ Sinner
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MC Sinners Next Generation
Pandemonium
Drifter
Criminals of the Ocean
Enslaved by the Ocean
Where Darkness Lies
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Flawed Heart: House of Obsidian
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Amore—Part 1
Amore—Part 2
Fleeting Moments
How to Fall in Love
Step-Lover: A Stepbrother Romance
’Til Death—Part 1
’Til Death—Part 2
Life After Taylah
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Number Thirteen
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Visit her at http://bellajewelbooks.com/
About the Author
Bella Jewel is a USA Today bestselling author of over eighteen ebooks, including the popular Alphas Heart e-original series with St. Martin’s Press. She lives in North Queensland, where she’s working on her next novel.
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
UNSAFE HAVEN
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
About the Author
Copyright Page
These are works of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in these novellas are either products of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously.
Unsafe Haven. Copyright ©