Page 69 of Dust to Dust

“I had eyes on the house all night.”

“You did?”

With a nod, I replied, “Since I couldn’t be here with you, I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I appreciate it.”

As I surveyed the baby in her arms, it unnerved me. I liked the way she looked. I liked the idea of her being a mother. But only if it were my child in her arms. “You look like his mother,” I remarked.

Isla’s face lit up. “You think so?”

“He looks like you.”

“He looks like his mother, and we do favor.” When the baby kicked his legs and babbled, Isla eyed him adoringly. “Some days he feels like mine. It’s hard imagining that I could love one of my own children more.” She wrinkled her nose. “But I know I will. You know, when the time comes. I’m certainly not ready to start a family now. I’ve got to finish grad school.”

Furrowing her brows, she rattled on, “That doesn’t mean if it happened, I wouldn’t be thrilled since I’ve always wanted kids.” With a laugh, she said, “Considering I got an IUD when Brooke got pregnant, it would have to be a miracle for that to happen. Especially since I’m not having sex at the moment.”

As soon as the words left her lips, she clamped her free hand over her mouth. “I can’t believe I just said that.”

My lips quirked at her rambling. “You’re nervous.”

“A little,” she whispered.

“About me?”

“Yes.”

“After everything we’ve been through, you’re still nervous?” When she bobbed her head, I remarked, “You weren’t nervous the night you cleaned me up.”

“It was the adrenaline coupled with my ridiculous empath side.”

“What about last night?”

Her eyes shuttered in pain. “I-I was too scared to feel any other emotion.”

A bitter feeling entered my chest. “Is it because of the way I look?” I cleared my throat. “Like my appearance scares you?”

Isla’s expression softened. “Of course not.” At what must’ve been my continued disbelief, Isla reached out to touch my arm.

My scarred arm.

Normally, I would’ve slung away from anyone who dared to touch me. But for whatever reason, I didn’t mind when Isla touched me. In fact, I was growing to like it.

Rubbing my arm, Isla said, “Like I said before, you and your scars don’t scare me, Quinn. They never have, and they never will.”

“Obviously there’s something about me that makes you uncomfortable.”

Peering up at me, she replied, “I would be lying if I said your behavior last night didn’t scare me a little.”

“I’d like to tell you I’m sorry for that, but I’m not.” When I took a step forward, Isla didn’t back away. “I’ll make anyone pay who dares to hurt you.”

“I know,” she whispered.

Tilting my head at her, I asked, “If you know I won’t hurt you, then why the fuck do you get nervous around me?”

“Because you’re…” She shivered. “Consuming.”

“Are you afraid I’m going to consume you?”

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