Chapter 114
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He opened the door cautiously, his body language tense and ready for trouble I could see his eyebrows raise in surprise, and he shifted slightly but didn’t move away from the doorway, still blocking my view of whoever was outside.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I moved to get a better look around Derek’s shoulder. When I saw who was standing in my hallway, my own eyebrows
shot up in surprise.
Rhys. My handsome neighbor, looking as perfectly put–together as ever despite the late hour.
“Hi, Rhys said with that smooth smile of his. I was just coming back from work and decided to say hello.”
“Oh, thank you. Welcome,” I replied, though I was still puzzled by the timing of his visit.
Derek hadn’t moved an inch from his protective position in the doorway, and I could feel tension radiating from him like
Rhys’s attention shifted to Derek, and his smile became more calculating. “Hi there,” he said, like he was just noticing Dere
Derek said nothing in response, just raised his eyebrow in a way that clearly communicated his skepticism about this unexpected visit.
“I’m Rhys, Athena’s neighbor, Rhys introduced himself, extending a hand that Derek made no move to shake.
“I’m Derek,” came the reply, accompanied by a pause that stretched just long enough to be pointed. “Athena’s boyfriend.”
I raised my eyebrows at that announcement but decided not to correct him. Something about Rhys’s late–night appearance had me on edge too, and if Derek wanted to play the protective boyfriend role, I wasn’t going to stop him.
The effect on Rhys was immediate and interesting. His perfect smile faltered for just a moment, and something flickered across his expression that looked almost like annoyance before he recovered his composure.
“Alright then, Rhys said, his tone still friendly but noticeably cooler. “I’ll leave you two to your evening,”
“Thanks for stopping by,” Derek said firmly, already moving to close the door.
As soon as the door clicked shut, I started laughing. “Boyfriend, huh?”
Derek shrugged, not looking the least bit apologetic. “I don’t like him.”
“Based on what? A thirty–second conversation?”
‘Based on the fact that nobody just stops by at nine o’clock at night to say hello to their neighbor. Especially not a neighbor they’ve met, how many
times? Once? Twice?.”
I had to admit he had a point. The timing was odd, and there had been something in Rhys’s expression when Derek claimed to be my boyfriend that felt off. Like Derek had interfered with some plan I wasn’t aware of.
“I think it’s time for you to leave too,” I said with a small laugh, not wanting to get too deep into analyzing my neighbor’s
vations.
“Oh, my heart, Derek said dramatically, pressing his hand to his chest. “Are you chasing your boyfriend away already?”
That sent both of us into another fit of laughter, releasing the tension in the air.
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2032 Thu band 10
Chapter 114
I don’t want my fake boyfriend getting mugged or attacked on his way hat I said when I could speak again
Then why not let him spend the night for protection? Derek suggested with exaggerated hopefulness.
I rolled my eyes. In your dreams, Derek. Now, out
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He raised his hands in surrender, still grinning. Alright, alright, Ill leave. You’re a tough woman to please.”
We were both laughing again as he moved toward the door, and I found mys thinking that this was exactly what friendship should feel like. Easy. comfortable, with just enough teasing to keep things interesting.
“Take care of yourself, Derek said as he paused with his hand on the doorkno. And don’t let anyone else in after I leave, okay?”
1 rolled my eyes again at yet another protective male in my life. “Yes, sir.”
He turned back to face me one more time, flashing that genuine smile that had made the whole evening possible. “Good amazing evening.”
for an
The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate
