Wolfe

"So, where's Demo?" Her gaze moved past me further into my house as she looked for him.

Demo sometimes went on the hunt with Knuckles and Buck when they were on a job. He had the fucking skills of a bloodhound. "With one of my brothers, and I'd appreciate you leaving my dog alone. Gettin' fucking tired of having to fetch him." I started to close the door. "Thanks for the brownies," I added as an afterthought.

"Can I ask you a question?" she rushed out, causing me to pause from shutting the door.

I looked back at her reluctantly and raised a brow indicating for her to go on.

"Why are you such an asshole?"

I recognize the slight hurt in her eyes, but I had to give her credit for the tilt of her chin, which indicated her resolve to stay strong. I felt my face crack into an unwilling grin at her boldness to call me out. "I ask myself that all the time."

Her eyes widened. "Oh, my God, you can smile!" Her eyes danced with amusement. "I was beginning to think that perpetual scowl was painted on your face."

My scowl returned as I was reminded of why I was going out of my way to not like her.

"You should smile more often."

She bit down on the corner of her bottom lip, drawing my eyes there. My dick punched forward and I grunted. I was within five seconds of grabbing her and doing something stupid. Thank fuck I was holding the plate. It kept me grounded.

"Maybe if I wasn't being bothered by my neighbors I'd have more to smile about."

Slowly her smile disappeared and her face fell as the hurt returned to her eyes. I felt instant regret, and then anger at myself for being an ass. My mom would have hit me upside the head for my actions if she could see me right now. I'd have deserved it.