"I see my blazer."

"Yeah, I wanted to toss it on the floor and stomp on it, but I figured I wouldn't stoop to such a level."

"I see," Walker nodded, not taking his eyes off Roxie's ass as she made her way down the hall and into the kitchen, "What happeend between you and Jesse?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Did he break it off with you?"

"We thought we'd be better friends," Roxie started the coffee pot as she took down two mugs from the cabinet, "I guess we were wrong."

"Guess so," Walker settled himself down at the table, "He's a dick."

"You're a dick, yet here you are."

"Yep, in your kitchen while you're making me coffee."

"I should be institutionalized."

"Maybe you just like me."

"But I probably don't."

Walker watched as she grabbed the cream and sugar and set it on the table with his mug in front of him.

"Thanks," he said, "I take mine black."

"Like your soul."

Walker smirked.

"You could put that mouth to better use than being a smart ass."

"Yeah? You got any better ideas?"

"Wrapped around my,-"

"I'm home!" Suri announced from the front door.

Roxie scurried out of the room, Walker at her heels.

"I got the freshest orange juice and the ripest avocados!" She announced to an annoyed Roxie and devilish Walker.

"Mom..."

"Let me help," Walker grabbed some of the groceries and carried them to the kitchen.

"Mom, what happened to pancakes and sausage?"

"He just seemed so nice this morning," Suri smiled, "Don't you worry. I will make breakfast while you two talk—please?"

"He already spoke to you about the raise, didn't he?"

"It's a bonus plus a raise, baby girl," Suri nodded, "We need it so if I have to do a little buttering up, I will."

"Fine.." Roxie shook her head as Walker waltzed in.

"Do you want your coffee?" Walker asked Roxie, handing her mug to her, "I put some cream and sugar in it already. See if it's good."

Roxie hesitated, but when she tried it, she was pleasantly surprised.

"I am sure you like a little coffee with your sugar," Walker winked.

"Well, let me start breakfast!" Suri said, bustling off, "You two get comfy."

"Oh, I'd love to get comfy with you, mouse."

"To throw me away?"

"Pretty much, yes."

"You are the,-"

"Thorn in your side, I know."

They sat on the couch for a while, in silence until Walker spoke up.

"There's a cabin near the river I want to take you to."

"Why? So you can hide my body?"

"No, so I can have your body all to myself."

"Walker, I can't sleep with you."

"Why not? Live a little."

"Please don't do this..." Roxie begged, "Don't ask me to sleep with you because you'll make my life hel if you don't, or you'll make my mom's life hell."

"As tempting as that sounds, I will make your life hell anyway with or without sleeping with you," Walker chuckled, "This is just a bonus."

Roxie sighed, "I want to keep my dignity."

"It's fucking, Reynolds," Walker said, his voice hard, "Nothing more."

"Why? You never showed interest before? And you had to have had that video for a while considering that was months ago."

"You're right," Walker said, "I had it for a while and I played it—and I truly hated seeing Jesse's ass come into view every now and then, but you look like you know how to please a man so I want to see what you're made of."

"This is a sick joke."

"Look at me and tell me you haven't thought about sleeping with the enemy."

"I haven't thought about sleeping with you."

"You didn't look at me."

Roxie stared into his eyes and opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

"I thought so."

"I,-"

"Hate me, yes," Walker smiled, "Hate sex is the best sex."

"That's disturbing."

"Next weekend," Walker said as Suri called for them, "You, me and the cabin."

"What do I tell my mom?" Roxie panicked, "I can't tell her I am going off with you."

"Yes, you can," Walker said, "We'll just tell her that it's a weekend party—she'll buy it."

"How do you know?" Roxie asked, "Don't use something on her."

"I don't have that ability," Walker sighed, "Unfortunately."

Roxie didn't reply. She most certainly wasn't sleeping with this man.

"Let's get some grub."

"You are always hungry."

"Mouse, I am hungry for more than just food and you happen to be the freshest thing on the menu."

"You use that line on all the girls?"

"Not recently."

Roxie flinched when Walker put his hand on her lower back.

"Walker..."

"I can't help it," Walker rasped, taking a step back.

Roxie stopped and approached him, "Are you alright? What is it? Is it the coffee?"

"No.." Walker's gaze darkened, "I can't fucking be here."

"But breakfast?" Roxie reached her hand out and Walker grabbed it before she could touch him herself, "Walker..."

"I-I need some air."

Walker dropped her hand and rushed from the house, Roxie hot on his heels.

"Walker!"

She watched him run through the woods so there was nothing left for her to do except run after him, barefeet on harsh terrain.

She was fast, but he was faster. Walker didn't know where he was going, but he jumped fences and houses and dog houses and clotheslines just to get to his destination.

"WALKER!!!"

He could hear her calling for him, but he didn't turn around.

There was no telling how far he'd ran or what had come over him except for that panic attack.

He eventually couldn't smell her any longer so Walker figured she'd given up on him and he slowed his pace, making his way into what looked to be a cemetery.

Catching his breath, he leaned up against a tree, his heart racing, head pounding.

"What is happening to me?"

"Boo!"

"THE FUCK?!"

Walker stumbled backwards as Roxie appeared from behind the tree.

"Y-you hid your scent from me."

"I knew you'd slow down so I could catch up to you," she winced as her feet hurt from the run. Walker noticed the blood caked to the bottoms of her toes.

"You shouldn't have come after me."

"You want to make my mom cook for you, me to fuck you, but then you ran off like that? How could I have not come after you?"

Walker stepped forward and lifted her up.

"What are you doing?"

"Sitting down on this bench so I can take a look at your feet."

"They're fine," Roxie brushed him off, but he held her tighter, placing her on his lap as he examined the bottoms of her feet.

"They're not fine," Walker shook his head, "We need to clean these and get some medicine on them so nothing gets infected. Is this...shit, it is glass. Hold still."

Roxie wrapped an arm around his shoulder as he gently took the shards of glass out of her foot. Fisting his shirt, Roxie whimpered as the last piece was pulled out.

"Don't ever come after me again."

"Don't tell me what to do."

Walker bit his tongue. She was in pain and he could feel it, too. That's what was weird.

Only mates and healers could do that and neither one of them was a healer.

"Let's get you home, mouse," Walker picked her up and headed out of the cemetery, but this time at a leisurely pace.

"Tell me what happened, Walker..." she rested her head on his chest as he carried her home, "Please?"

Walker sighed, "I-I don't know, mouse."

He knew though and he wasn't about to tell her what thoughts had crossed his mind.