Page 41 of Brutal Savage

The man smiles at me, stalking closer and extending a hand. “I’m Fionn, this idiot’s brother.” He gestures with a tilt of his head. “I hope he wasn’t being a complete you-know-what.” He winks. “We’ve been looking for Bubbles for over an hour. She ran off while Tynan was putting all her new stuff into his car.”

I glance between him and Brody, who looks up and gives me a big grin. And just like last time, I want to cry. It’s so beautiful when he smiles. I never want him to stop smiling.

“Hey, buddy!” I kneel, and when I do, the dog starts licking his face, so I hand her to him, and he gives her a warm hug.

My heart melts at the sight of them.

And with all the emotions swimming in my chest, all I want to do is look at Tynan.

It’s there I find his eyes already sinking into mine. His face is hard, yet something in it feels almost human, almost raw. His expression slowly softens, and that mouth…it gives me a tiny smile.

Just a minuscule curve of his lips is all it takes for my gut to flip, butterflies soaring within. And just like whenever he smiles like that, I lose all self-control.

I force my attention on Brody, ignoring Tynan and all the things he manages to make me feel.

“Is Bubbles your new dog?” I pet her one last time.

She jumps all over him, licking him like she did me, her leash dangling on the ground.

He nods, and his grin widens as he holds her tighter, his eyes closing as he lets her kiss him all over.

“So, did you just get her?” I ask Tynan, even though I should just walk away—far away from him.

There’s no way I can agree to help Brody, not after today. Not after how good it feels when Tynan’s near.

Fionn smirks as he assesses his brother’s intensity, his eyes never leaving mine.

Tynan nods. “We were in the parking lot when she ran off.”

“Oh.” My face falls. “I’m glad I found her. She’s beautiful.”

“Yes, she is…” He sucks me into his deep and searching gaze, green like summer grass, that low and seductive voice sliding across my flesh like satin, wrapping itself around my skin.

With each passing moment, he doesn’t relent. It’s as though he’s staring into my soul.

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I start to wonder if he was even talking about the dog to begin with.

“Join us for lunch,” he says, and I blink back, breaking our connection.

“No, thank you. We just?—”

“We would love to,” Grandma offers instead.

What is she thinking?

“You just ate, Gran.” I smile politely, rolling an arm over her shoulders as I whisper, “What are you doing?”

She grins at them while leaning into my neck. “You need a man like that. Strong. Powerful. Trust me.”

“You have no idea what you’re saying. He’s dangerous.” From the corner of my vision, I peek up at him, hoping he didn’t hear that.

“We’ll see.” She pulls my hand, her tone rising. “Come on, dear. I could use another coffee, and we know you like yours.”

“Okay, uh, sure…”

She strides up beside Brody and Fionn, all three walking ahead of us, and somehow I’m stuck behind with Tynan.

He steps closer, his arm brushing mine, the smell of his woodsy cologne infecting my nostrils, corrupting every inch of my mind.

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