As he grabs a couple cans of soda from the fridge, his quiet reply catches my attention. “Yes. And for that, you have earned my trust and my loyalty.” Handing me a drink, he finally meets my gaze and sits at one of the counter stools. “That is rare among my kind, especially outside one’s clan. It is unheard of outside our species. I don’t understand it, but tonight you invoked my protective instincts.”
He uses the phrase like protective instincts are some kind of official troll thing, and he’s staring at me as if he’s dumbfounded by the possibility that I invoked them. The attention makes me uncomfortable. “Is it really such a big deal to feel protective?” I ask. “I mean, I’d have your back in a fight, too.”
“I—” He pauses and seems to change his mind from whatever he was about to say. “You’re right. It’s not that big a deal. It’s just surprising. Like I said, it’s a rare thing for a troll to befriend someone outside his clan. You can trust me, though; you’re safe with me. I snore like a troll, and my feet smell like troll’s feet, but if you can handle it, I don’t mind the roommate.”
He brushed off my question, and I hate that I feel like he he’s hiding something, but I do. I want to trust him, but I’ve had too many bad experiences, especially with men. I need to clear the air in this department or I’ll never relax around him, so I drop onto the stool next to his and spit out what has me so bothered.
“Um, Terrance…?” His brows draw low over his eyes at my sudden nerves. “I just, um…I don’t date. Anyone. Like, at all. Ever. I mean, I doubt you were thinking that direction, but if I’m going to crash here, I figure it’s better to just lay the ground rules now, you know?”
I place my hand on his forearm with a grain of guilt. I hate reading people’s minds, but I need his honest reaction this time. And though I’m afraid of what I might hear, I have to know. I like Terrance. I want this new friendship to work.
His thoughts surprise me. He’s relieved. Really relieved. Having someone to take care of and protect is so new to him. He’s still reeling from the intensity of his instincts earlier. I guess that was the first time it’s ever happened to him. He thinks it’s going to take him some time to learn to control himself. He’s afraid having to deal with any possible suitors of mine might throw him over the edge. He was certainly ready enough to kill Henry, and likely would have gone into a full rampage at the club earlier had Wulf not stopped him.
Nowhere in his mind is there any disappointment. His interest in me is purely platonic. He’s right about his protective instincts. He only means to look out for me and help me when I need it. He wants to take care of me, and he’s excited by the thought of having a friend—a companion that he doesn’t have to feel pressured to date. It’s been a lonely seventy years away from his family.
He’s been here on his own for seventy years? How sad.
I’m pulled from my mental eavesdropping when Terrance chuckles and pats my hand. “You’re breaking my heart right now, Trouble,” he teases, “but I’m sure it’s for the best.” Eyeing me critically, he adds, “I doubt a little thing like you could handle all of this.”
He gestures to his enormous body, the motions thick with innuendo. I laugh, grateful he’s broken the awkward tension I created. “I’m sure you’re right. I’d be terrified to even try.”
He unleashes his booming laugh again. “I like you, Trouble.” Elbowing me lightly, he tries—and fails—to sound serious when he adds, “Strictly platonic, of course.”
“Of course.”
I finally take a large bite of the amazing burger Terrance grilled up for me. For a moment, I almost regret the platonic thing. He’s an amazing cook. Moaning with pleasure, I quickly finish off the burger. Terrance grins at me as I suck the grease off my fingers. “You keep feeding me like this, and you may never get me to leave.”
I’m teasing, but the jaunt seems to please him. Judging from his thoughts I’d overheard a minute ago, I’m not sure he’d mind this situation being permanent. If I weren’t so desperate to leave this shithole city, I don’t know that I’d mind, either. I’ve never felt like that about anyone before. It’s crazy how quickly my life has changed.
As I take my plate to the sink, I look around the room again and am hit by a sudden lump of emotion. I feel safer right now than I have in my entire life. No one has ever been so kind to me, either. Swallowing back the threat of tears, I force myself to smile at my new roommate. “Thank you, Terrance.”
“No thanks necessary.” Terrance joins me at the sink with his empty plate. “I’m happy to have you.”
An awkward silence falls on us that’s broken when I yawn. “It’s late,” Terrance says. “You need anything before you go to bed?”
“Nope. I should be good.”
When he reaches for his wallet and keys again, I give him a curious glance. “You going back out?”
He shucks a thumb toward the front door. “I’m going to head back to the club and help finish with the cleanup.”
On closer inspection, I realize he doesn’t look the least bit tired, while I’m practically dead on my feet. “Are you nocturnal?”
He bobs his head up and down. “Mostly. Not that I can’t be up during the day, but I get even grumpier than normal when I have to be.” He frowns at me and adds, “I didn’t think about that. We’ll be on different schedules. Is that going to be a problem for you?”
I smile at his concern. “I’m a big girl, T-man. I can amuse myself when you’re sleeping. And I’m a bit of a night owl anyway, so we’ll see each other plenty. You’ll be ready to kick me out in no time.”
His frown melts into a grin. “All right.” He glances around the room and sighs. “Well, as long as you’re here, make yourself at home. I’ll get a key made while I’m out tonight. It’ll be waiting for you on the table when you wake up. Feel free to come and go, and help yourself to whatever. Mi casa es su casa, and all that. You going to be okay here all by yourself? If you aren’t comfortable here alone yet, you’re welcome to come to the club with me, but you look exhausted.”
“I am exhausted. And now that I’m fed, that bedroom is calling my name.”
“So you’ll be good?”
I smile at his concern. “I’m probably safer here than I ever have been in my life.”
“That’s true. I had this place warded by a sorceress along with my own protection charms. No one who isn’t expressly invited can get in.” He stands up a bit straighter and gives me a cocky smile while puffing up his chest. “Not that anyone would try. Breaking into a troll’s den is suicide.”
I laugh. His cockiness is adorable because it’s not natural. “I have no doubt, T-man. Go back to work, and don’t worry about me. I’m going to sleep better tonight than I have in months.”
The declaration pleases him so much that he gives me a wide grin. The man keeps claiming to be a grump, but so far I’m not convinced. “All right. See you tomorrow, then. Stay out of trouble, Trouble.”
“No promises.”
As he walks out of the kitchen, chuckling to himself and shaking his head, I call after him. “Hey, Terrance…” When he looks back, I flash him a grin. “About those stinky feet…are we talking air freshener, or should I start looking for my own place now?”
Like I’d hoped, Terrance breaks out into his deep, roaring laughter that shakes the whole room.
When I wake up, it’s after three p.m. I’ve never slept in that late, but the last two days had been very taxing, and I haven’t had a good night’s sleep where I felt completely safe in years, if ever. I feel more rested than I’ve ever been.
As soon as I shake the sleep off, I smirk. Terrance wasn’t kidding about his snoring. Like his laugh, it’s loud, deep, and rattles the whole house. I’d been so exhausted it hadn’t wakened me, but I’ll be investing in some earplugs.