Moonlit memories (#4 of the Miller Family series)

5. Happily unattached

Blade’s P.O.V.

I blinked against the dim morning light creeping in through the half-drawn blinds, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, piecing together the memory of the night before once I had left my brother's art exhibition. The woman beside me stirred, letting out a sigh that was half-sleep, half-hopeful invitation. I glanced over, immediately realizing I couldn’t remember her name—not even close.

Tina?

Tanja?

Deena?

She opened her eyes, curling toward me with a sleepy smile.

“Good morning handsome…” Her voice was soft, and she stretched a hand toward my bare shoulder, trying to pull me back down.

But I sat up instead, running a hand through my dark hair.

“Morning.” I pulled the covers back, swinging my legs over the side of the bed, already grabbing my boxer briefs and jeans from the floor.

The woman’s smile slipped a bit, her eyes trailing over me with a look that was half-question, half-disappointment.

“So… stay a while?” she asked, tilting her head, her hair falling messily over her shoulder.

Caterina?

Katherine?

Fuck… for the love of me, I couldn’t remember

I slipped my shirt back on, already shaking my head.

“Sorry, I gotta get going. Shift starts soon at the station.” I gave her an easy, casual smile, one I had honed after many similar mornings.

“Oh,” she said, propping herself up on her elbow,

“You’re a firefighter, right?”

I nodded, grabbing my keys off the bedside table. Technically, I didn’t have to be there for a few more hours, but she didn’t need to know that.

Kathy or God only knows what her name is…

“Well, maybe… maybe we could do this again sometime?” she asked, her hopeful gaze lingering.

“I don’t have your number.”

I let out a low chuckle, feeling my wolf Onyx’s amusement prickling in the back of my mind.

*You don’t even care to know her name* My wolf Onyx mused, a smirk lacing his words.

“Sure,” I said, giving her a lazy smile.

“Why don’t you write it down for me? So I can call you and we can set a date when I have my schedule.”

She scrambled for a pen and paper, jotting down her number, while I tried not to let my impatience show. I was already halfway out the door mentally, but I kept my grin smooth, my gaze somewhere near polite. Once she finished, she handed me the scrap of paper with a shy look.

“Thanks,” I said, slipping it into my pocket with a nod. I turned and walked out, not even looking back or saying goodbye. As I hit the stairwell, I pulled the paper from my pocket and, without a second thought, I let it drop to the floor. It fluttered down lazily, landing on the edge of a step, out of sight and out of mind, like always.

This was the way I preferred it. Simple. No commitments, no expectations. It was easy, and clean, and honestly, it was all I wanted. I didn’t see the point in dragging out something that wasn’t going to lead anywhere anyway. Hell, the last thing I wanted was a bunch of drama with a girl I gave zero f***s about.

*That’s one way to do it* Onyx rumbled, half amusement, half sarcasm.

*Not even a first name? You’re losing your touch, Blade.*

Trust me, I shot back internally,

she’ll be fine. This is how it works. No one gets hurt.

*Right* My wolf Onyx said, his tone dry.

*And all that emotional collateral damage you leave behind? A myth?*

I pushed the thought away and headed outside. The city morning was just starting to shake off the night, and the air was crisp, still clinging to the last bite of fall. I shoved my hands deep in my pockets, deciding I desperately needed some caffeine. Normally, I would grab a coffee from the shop down the block, but Kathy worked there, and we had had a similar morning about a week back. I could already imagine her face if I walked in. So, I took a left instead, angling toward the bakery a few streets over.

The bakery was one of those hidden gems of Fairview, wedged between two buildings, with a sign out front that advertised cinnamon buns the size of your head. I could smell the warmth of sugar and spices before I even stepped inside, thanks to my wolf, and my stomach growled in appreciation.

*Now we’re talking* My wolf said, sounding far too pleased.

*Skip the coffee, grab the cinnamon bun. Priorities, man.*

I smirked, mentally giving my wolf Onyx a nudge.

I’ll get both. Settle down.

The little bell over the door chimed as I walked inside, the sound soft and welcoming. The place was small, quaint, with wooden tables and big windows that let in slants of golden morning light. It was peaceful in here, and I found myself relaxing almost against my will. I approached the counter, nodding at the older woman called Beth behind it.

“Morning. Just a black coffee, and one of those cinnamon buns.”

She grinned at me, grabbing a cinnamon bun from the case.

“Haven’t seen you here for a while, Blade Miller. Been busy?”

I simply shrugged.

“Yeah. Been working most of the time.”

“Oh, that’s right,” she said with a friendly smile.

“We get a lot of you fire boys in here. Best cinnamon buns in town.”

I chuckled, taking the paper-wrapped cinnamon bun and my coffee.

“I’ll have to take your word for it.”

*She’s right,* My wolf chimed in as I took a bite. The bun was warm, gooey with frosting, and sweet enough to hit my taste buds just right.

*Perfect way to start the day. Almost enough to make me forget about last night.*

Almost, I replied, smirking as I strolled toward the register in order to pay, when I suddenly sniffed something intoxicating.

“Miss Beth, what on earth are you cooking back there, smells f*****g heavenly.” I told old Miss Beth, who looked at me with wide eyes.

“Language, Mr Miller,” She told me, one eyebrow rising on top of her head and reminding me of professor McGonagall from the Harry Potter movies.

“It was meant as a compliment, seriously, what’s that smell? Is it chocolate chip cookies?” I asked her, because if she would tell me, I would buy the whole lot, that’s how freaking good it smelled!

“Sorry, Mr Miller, there’s nothing in the oven right now,” Beth told me, looking at me as if I was going insane. Which, given the amount of alcohol that could still be running in my blood from last night, wasn’t completely impossible, really.

“Oh, damn.” I sighed, paying for my coffee and cinnamon bun before I sent the old lady a playful wink.

“Well, either way, I’ll be back soon, these cinnamon buns are really good,” I told her, before I turned around and walked out of the store, ready for the sugar to kick in and finally wake me up.

As soon as we walked outside, my wolf Onyx huffed, almost laughing.

*You know, one of these days, your luck’s gonna run out. And then where will you be?*

I raised a brow, taking a sip of my coffee.

Still happily unattached.

Besides, we’re doing just fine.

*For now*, my wolf said, a hint of warning lurking in his voice.

*But you might want to give “fine” a little more thought. Not everyone’s cut out for this lone-wolf business. I want to find my f*****g mate, Blade, seriously!*

I rolled my eyes. Onyx was always chirping about settling down, finding someone who “got him.” But I had learned long ago that life was easier without strings. For now, a good coffee, a fresh cinnamon bun, and my shift at the fire station were all I needed. And maybe that thing that old lady Beth was cooking up in the kitchen of her small bakery and that smelled like pure heaven.