“Do you think I claimed you lightly, Pup? That I want you only because she does? I’ll confess, in the beginning, I wanted to get rid of you. I thought I could make her forget you. But she does better when you’re around. And I felt this weird thing toward you. Possibly gratitude. Or maybe it was gas.” Gratitude wasn’t enough. It wasn’t desire. It wasn’t want. Need. You are worthy. Stone’s words echoed in his brain. “But that all changed tonight. You were nearly hurt, Pup.” “And that makes you . . . gassy?” He winced. Why did he say that? Idiot. “It makes me furious.”
