74

CASSY

The door creaked open, and I smelled the alcohol before I even saw him. Teddy staggered in from the docks, his movements clumsy, his boots dragging across the floor. There was nothing warm in how he looked at me. His skin was flushed, his breath heavy with whiskey. I knew this version of him too well.

The one that drank to forget, the one that came back wanting things I couldn't give him.

He walked over and tried to pull me into his arms. "Loupy," he muttered, leaning down, gripping my waist. "Come here."

I pushed him back gently, stepping out of his reach. "Not like this, Teddy. You're drunk."

He swayed slightly. He hated being told no, especially when he was like this. "What do you mean, 'not like this'? I'm your mate."

"I know you are, but I'm not doing this when you can barely stand. You need to sleep, not… this."

He frowned, moving to pull me closer again, far more insistent this time.

I backed up, keeping the space between us. "Teddy, stop. We're not doing this tonight."