Page 75 of Unexpected Hero

“Shh. It’s okay, sweetness. Let me see. Roll onto your back for me.”

She complies but then attempts to sit up.

I put one hand on her shoulder, subtly holding her down. “Stay on your back until I see how badly you’re hurt.”

Exhaling a soft sigh, Lettie lets her head flop backward slowly, fixing her eyes on me. “Are you magic?”

While running my hands softly over her foot, I inspect it for injury. “What? No.”

“Then why do I instantly follow your orders? I’m impulsively stubborn to a fault. But not with you. I think you’re employing a mystical Vampire or Warlock compulsion on me.”

Grinning subtly, I shake my head and adjust my positioning to see the other side of her foot. “It’s not me. It’s you.”

“How so?”

“Because deep down, you’re a good girl.”

Did I have to say that? No.

Should I have said that? Absolutely not. And certainly not as gravelly-sounding as I did.

But am I enjoying the flush on her cheeks at my praise and innuendo? Fuck yes.

“Told you that you’re a tease.”

“Nah. I’m just trying to distract you from the pain.” I suspect she broke two toes. “Does this hurt?” I run my fingertips over the bumps on her second and third toes.

She jerks her foot away from my hands. “Yes. Don’t touch it. Argh!”

“Lettie, I think you broke these two toes.”

She presses her palm into her forehead. “Of course I did. Classic Lettie.”

I shift my positioning so I’m closer to her midsection, kneeling beside her. It only has a little to do with the need to get away from the tempting view up her skirt I have from down by her feet. I didn’t mean to look, but her panties are purple.

That’s my new favorite color.

“Do you have any other pain? Your back? Tailbone? Head?”

“No, I didn’t hit the ground very hard. Don’t worry. I’ve had worse. It was just the toes when my foot flipped and hit the underside of the table.”

My eyes scan the area. “We should have sat on the beach and had our picnic there.”

She waves her hand at me with a flick of her wrist. “I probably would have been bit by a crab.”

A laugh shakes my chest. “Unlucky?”

She presses the heels of her palms against her eyes. “And klutzy. It’s a miracle I’m still alive.”

While she’s not looking at me, I allow myself a brief indulgence, letting my gaze rake over her frame. I wonder what it would feel like to be on top of her, letting my body rest against hers. To feel her soft curves cushion me and then settle between her warm thighs.

I need to get us off the ground before I convince myself it’s okay to find out. Not sure I’ve ever wanted to believe something as much as being allowed to claim this woman. And to give myself to her in return.

I’m moments away from believing my own lies.

Shaking it off, I stand. “I’ll help you up.” She pushes up on her elbows, and I bend down to assist her. “Rest your right foot on your heel so you don’t put any pressure on your toes.”

“Okay.” She groans softly. “This is so embarrassing.”

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