Take Me Once, I'll Bleed You Twice novel Chapter 232

Chapter 232

COOPER

Though Cooper would never admit it out loud, the half hour he was forced to spend with Avery every day warn’t neas anticipated. In fact, after that first morning, he found himself kind of enjoying her company.

That’s not to say he’d changed his mind about wanting her to leave – not a chance but she wasn’t insufferable or hadn’t tried to order him around or ask about stuff he’d rather not discuss. It was easy; being around her was eas

They did end up chatting a bit more the next few days, though it was about nothing in particular. The weather, the town, places should see before leaving… light topics between strangers. Impersonal. Perfect.

So why was it Cooper found himself thinking about her while he worked? When he ate? When he tried to fall asleep at night? Stupid fare mate bullshit, he silently complained as he rolled over in bed at night. He didn’t want a mate – didn’t need one – not after what wa happened. Alone was better; no-one got hurt when you kept to yourself.

On the fifth day of being forced to have breakfast with Avery, Cooper found himself in a bit of a dilemma.

“I can’t make it tomorrow,” he told the she-wolf after they’d shared some basic pleasantries. “Not cause I don’t wanna or… whatever,” he continued in a grumble. “I got a job that starts early and can’t just not show up for half an hour.”

She watched him for a moment, making him feel like her dark eyes saw far more than was comfortable. “What kind of job do you do?” It

was the first question she’d asked that could be considered personal.

“Landscaping,” he answered before realizing it. A scowl crossed his face as he chided himself for letting it slip. She didn’t need to know that; he didn’t want her to know that, or anything about his day to day life. “Someone called off.” Why was he still talking? It was like he couldn’t stop the words from leaving his mouth. “Something about an in-law dying.”

“So you’re down a person and want to start earlier to make up the time?”

“Something like that, yeah.”

Avery nodded, then smiled. “Then why don’t I give you a hand. I’ve never landscaped before but I’m sure you can find something for me to do that’ll lighten your workload.”

Why was she offering to help? Did she not know his job was manual labour? A she-wolf

she was a wolf never need to do manual labour. There was no doubt she could do it

knowing she’d need to get down and dirty?

would one more dominant than himselt but why would she willingly otter to help

Cooper looked Avery up and down, assessing her as best he could. She always looked put together. Clean. The clothes she wore wouldn’t be good to work in. It made him wonder what she might show up wearing. Would she wear heels? Maybe a dress? He ignored the fact his low opinion of she-wolves that were even a little interesting was colouring his thoughts, painting Avery to be the type he disliked. It helped keep her at arms length when he thought of her this way.

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Chapter 232

“You want to work?,” he demanded, feeling uncomfortable at how she’d circumvented his dilemma w even a dilemma? It would be no hait off his hack if they missed one breakfast before she left forever

Right?

Avery raised her shoulders in a small shrug. “Do you? Work is work, whatever it is.”

Her answer made no sense and left him wondering what she hoped to get out of offering to help Brownie prosty to suddenly want her to stick around because she’d shown a more philanthropic side?

“Alright,” he finally agreed. “It’s your funeral.”

Wa

“Great,” she replied with a smile that made his heart do uncomfortable things he’d rather it not. “When and where?

Cooper grudgingly gave her the information she’d need for the next day, half wondering if she’d actually show up while the other wanted her to follow through to see how far he could push before she called it quits.

It took him until that afternoon to realize what Avery helping him at work actually meant. He swore. Loudly. They would be in each other’s company all damn day instead of just that half hour first thing in the morning.

That sneaky little…

It was too late to go back now; not that he could. They’d never exchanged phone numbers; he couldn’t call her up and cancel. Maybe he should have… No. He didn’t need her number. It would only taunt him from his phone.

Of course the following day came too fast, leaving Cooper fretting as he drove his truck to the address where they would be working. The homeowner had passed five years ago and their children had let the place go while deciding what to do with it. The lawn was overgrown, the walkway no longer visible, trees and bushes were a mess, and some lowlifes had used the yard as a trash bin. Lots of work was waiting to get done and Cooper was excited to see how it’d look once finished.

To his surprise, by the time he arrived at seven on the dot, Avery was already parked out front, leaning on her car as she waited. Cooper

took a moment to process this, taking in the t-shirt, well worn jeans, and sneakers that’d seen better days, and could barely believe this

was the same she-wolf he’d been having breakfast with the past five days.

Maybe he’d gotten it all wrong…

Avery turned as he approached, giving him a smile. “Morning,” she greeted, looking far too comfortable in an environment he’d hoped would throw her off whatever game she was playing.

“Morning,” he grunted. “The others will get here in the next half hour or so but we’ll start now.”

“Sure. What should I be doing?”

Cooper wondered if, perhaps, he shouldn’t push things too far; it might be best to treat her like he did the others. “Trash clean up,” he

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