Page 70 of Dust to Dust

Isla’s pulse quickened on her neck as her chest heaved. She slowly shook her head. “I’m afraid you won’t.”

Fucking hell.

Closing the gap between us, my hand cupped her chin. I ran my thumb over her bottom lip. “There’s nothing in the whole world I want more than to devour you.”

Desire flared in Isla’s sapphire eyes. Her tongue darted out to lick her lips, which caused me to groan. “I’m glad,” she replied breathlessly.

When I dipped my head to bring my lips to hers, Henry squealed. Isla blinked and then shook her head like she was waking up from a dream. At my frustrated grunt, Henry giggled while Isla’s cheeks reddened. “I don’t think he wants to share my attention,” she mused.

I smiled. “I don’t blame him. Look, I don’t mean to keep you from caring for him. I just wanted to come by and make sure you’re okay.”

She blinked at me. “You came all the way here to check on me?”

“Aye. I did.”

Eyeing me curiously, Isla asked, “Do you do that for all your dancers?”

With a hard shake of my head, I replied, “Of course I fucking don’t.” At her surprise, I grunted. “I’m sorry. I just thought after last night you understood the depth of my feelings for you.”

A tremble ran through her. “I’m starting to comprehend they run deeper than just the physical side.”

“I couldn’t sleep until I saw your face.”

“You didn’t sleep last night?”

“I had matters to take care of.”

Although I could see the questions in Isla’s eyes, she remained uncharacteristically quiet. “It didn’t matter that I’d received your full medical report. I needed to see you for myself.”

Her brows popped. “Excuse me? That’s against HIPAA.”

“Fuck that. I needed to know you were okay.”

“You could’ve called me,” she huffed.

“You needed your rest.”

She threw up her hands. “You’re infuriating, you know that?”

“I’ve been told that. But it doesn’t change me wanting to protect you.” After crossing my arms over my chest, I said, “I know how you’re doing physically. Now tell me how you’re doing emotionally.”

Isla shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

When she nibbled on her bottom lip, I shot her a hard look, which caused her to sigh. “Fine. I didn’t sleep very well last night.”

“From the pain?”

“Not exactly.” She rubbed her arms as she shivered. “Every time I closed my eyes, he was all I could see.”

My hand reached out to cup her cheek. “I’m so sorry.”

When my gaze dipped to her neck, I realized she was wearing a turtleneck. I’d been so distracted by the baby, I’d forgotten to check on her physically. My hands came to ease the fabric down. At the sight of the purple and blue bruising along her skin, a low growl erupted from my chest.

The noise caused Henry’s brows to crease before he burst into tears. “Oh, it’s all right, sweet boy,” Isla crooned as she rubbed wide circles across his back. Meeting my gaze, she grinned. “Big Bad Mr. Quinn wasn’t growling at you.”

Sweeping my hands to my hips, I demanded, “Seriously?”

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