Page 43 of Brutal Savage

His mouth slowly curves on one side and he drops his hand away. “Make sure you do, Ms. Hill. Wouldn’t want you fainting on me.”

His palm drops to the top of my thigh, and I feel it—heavy and strong, making my skin throb and tingle in its wake.

It remains there as the food comes. It only leaves for a moment as he places different items on my plate. Pasta and salad, and some chicken too.

His hand cups my knee, a finger drawing circles over my leggings. And those eyes…they watch me intently, waiting for me to eat.

His brow bows, and I pick up the fork and throw a piece of lettuce into my mouth.

Not hiding his dissatisfaction, he takes his own fork and picks up a piece of chicken. “Open your mouth.”

And I realize everyone at the table is now quiet, their attention on us. But Grandma? She’s trying and failing to hide her smile.

He drops his lips to my ear. “The more you resist, the more I’ll keep pushing. So come on, open your mouth for me.”

My heavy exhale causes my chest to rattle, and I find myself obeying.

He pops the fork into my mouth and watches me chew with a hardened expression.

“I—I’ve got the rest,” I stammer and he grinds his jaw, refusing to lower the fork. “I don’t see you eating.”

He lowers his mouth to my ear once more, my skin warm and languid. “I won’t be eating until you’re done, so be a good girl and open that mouth every time I tell you.”

My heartbeats tremble in my rib cage. I don’t know why those words just affected me so much. And every time he brings that food to my mouth, I accept it without a fight.

Because in some crazy way, it feels like he’s taking care of me, and I like that very much.

CHAPTER 11

TYNAN

“Can you take him back home?” I ask Fionn as soon as we’ve left the café, heading back to our cars.

Brody holds the dog in his arms, afraid to put her down this time. I know how upset he was when she ran off. But it was my fault. I shouldn’t have let him hold the leash. She got too excited when she saw a pigeon and pulled too hard and he couldn’t hold on.

Tears filled his eyes, and I vowed to find that dog no matter how long it took.

I couldn’t let him lose someone else. Not after everything.

“Why?” Fionn asks. “Where are you going?”

His amused expression makes it clear he thinks I’m going off to follow her. But he’d be wrong.

“None of your business.” I kneel before Brody. “I’ll be home soon.”

He nods, and Fionn opens his car door for him before I get into mine.

I know where Elara is going now: on her run. She was already dressed for it—tight gray leggings that did nothing to hide her toned legs and round ass. One I’d very much enjoy.

Her sitting beside me that whole time had me wanting to do things I shouldn’t want to do to her. I don’t know what the hell she’s doing to me and how, because I can’t seem to stop thinking about her, no matter how hard I try.

She’s a damn snake, wrapping herself around me until I can’t so much as breathe without her permission.

I can’t lie to myself anymore and pretend that I watch her for Brody’s sake. This time it’s all for me.

I’ve committed everything I can about her to memory. Like how she likes her coffee with only a splash of cream. And when she’s out to dinner, she orders a glass of white wine instead of red. And when she’s really nervous, she plays with her hair. There’s nothing I haven’t paid close attention to. Nothing at all, and that drives me crazy.

She’s beautiful, though it’s not just her beauty that entices me. It’s her aura. The way she’s afraid of me, yet speaks her mind and fights me with that sharp wit.

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