Page 32 of Trouble

“I’m wired,” he admits. “I’ll be fine.” He regards the door, roughing a hand over his mouth. “You gonna go back and sleep in there with her?”

I clench my fists at my sides. Fuck. I have no idea how I should handle this. Or maybe I do. Melina made it clear what she wants, and I can’t say no to her. “She asked me to.” My chest goes tight. There’s no way he’s okay with how he found me in bed with his girl.

To my utter shock, he nods simply. “Good. You should do that, then.” He thumbs toward the door. “I’ll lock up on my way out.”

Even after he’s dismissed me, he stands in the hall, watching me. Like he needs to see me go. Like he needs to know that I’ll be there to protect her. So, despite the discomfort settling in my gut, I shuffle into the bedroom and climb into bed with Melina, ignoring his scrutiny. I can’t handle looking at him right now. I don’t want to see the hurt or jealousy or anger he’s got to be feeling.

The moment I settle, it’s like she subconsciously knows I’m back. Without waking, she scoots closer, wrapping her warm body around me.

The sharp hiss from the doorway snags my attention, and I finally force myself to look at Cade. I’m not sure what to make of the expression he wears as he watches us. Maybe it’s my exhaustion, or maybe it’s the dark, or maybe I know jack shit about feelings and reading people and I’m making it all up in my head, but to me, his expression looks a hell of a lot like love.

CHAPTER 15

Melina

For yearsI dated a man who was never content with what he had.

More money, more attention, more sex. More, more, more was his mantra.

I can’t count the number of mornings I woke up with a pounding head after he’d spent an evening shouting at me. Or with a bruise he explained away by blaming my sensitive skin.

“Someone just has to look at you, and you bruise.”

So when I wake up to a cup of coffee by my bed and the strong arms of Declan Everhart wrapped around me as he gently rocks me awake, I burst into tears.

“Shh, I’ve got you, Melina. You’re safe.” The deep timbre of his voice is a calming melody that I wish I could write a song about.

“Because of you.” I peer up into his warm brown eyes. As the sunlight streams in, they turn golden. “Did I dream that Cade was here?”

Declan shakes his head. “He was worried about you. Drove here like a bat out of hell. Woulda missed his flight if I hadn’t sent him back, promising that I have you.”

I smile, imagining that entire scenario. Waking up in Declan’s armsmay be the most comforting experience of my life, but butterflies flutter in my belly at the thought of Cade coming for me. And that he left knowing Declan would take care of me. Though I’m not sure what any of it means, the two of them settle me in completely different ways.

“Want your coffee?”

The butterflies settle, and the heavy weight on my chest presses a little more firmly. Coffee sounds incredible, but he’ll have to let go of me in order to reach it, and the feel of his arms wrapped around me is a decadence I’ve never known.I’m not ready to give it up.

“Maybe in a minute.”

With a soft grunt of agreement, he strokes the hair from my brow.

Pressing my face to the crook of his neck, I inhale deeply, then pull back to look him in the eye. “I have a question.”

His lips curl up almost imperceptibly in response, like he’s maybe enjoying this moment as much as I am.

“Why do you pretend to be grouchy when you’re really a big, snuggly teddy bear?”

He shakes his head, but there’s no hiding the way that hint of a smile grows just a fraction. “I’m not.”

“You are with me.”

Sighing, he looks away. “You’re different.”

Chest tightening, I search his expression for some kind of clue as to what he means. “Why?”

“Stop asking questions and drink your coffee.”

I don’t fight him. I’m too busy dissecting those simple words.

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