Page 77 of Tore Up

The strawberry thing was bothering me still.

“Why strawberry?” I blurted before I talked myself out of it.

He raised his eyebrows. “That’s the shampoo scent you use, isn’t it?”

Yes, but how had he known that?

I stared at him, trying to read his expression. But the amused gleam in his eyes wasn’t helping me.

“You realize that your eyes hide nothing. Every thought youhave is right there on display,” he said with a curl of his lips. Then, he leaned down close to my ear. “I’ve carried you, Halo. I know how you smell.”

Oh. I wasn’t sure if that was relief or disappointment as I let out a breath. Perhaps it was a mix of both.

The saleslady returned with his card and a white bag with gold printing on the front and pink tissue paper inside, as if it were packed to give as a gift.

Bane took the card and the bag. “Thank you,” he replied, then signed his name on the iPad screen before turning back to me. “Ready?”

I nodded and headed toward the exit as he followed me.

Bane had just bought me expensive products for my hair and body. Why? Was this just part of his taking care of me because I was carrying his brother’s baby, or was it something more? The time we’d spent together, mixed with my dreams of him at night, was getting it all confused in my head. And I was afraid for my heart too. It was easy to protect myself from the rude, angry man who hated me. But this Bane? He was too much like the one who had held me at night. I wasn’t sure I could protect my heart from him.

He opened the truck door for me. “Library next?” he asked me.

I’d mentioned this morning that I’d like to find a library nearby so I could get some new books to read. He hadn’t responded, only nodded.

I sat down and looked up at him. “Yes, if you don’t mind.”

His cocky smirk no longer grated on me. Instead, I found it endearing.

Thirty-Three

Halo

The guys were back early. I knew it before we returned to the house because Bane had gotten a text, but I wasn’t prepared for the change in him once we walked inside. The guy from the past two days was gone.

After he’d let me spend two hours in a library, gotten a library card in his name for me to check out books, taken me to his favorite Mexican restaurant—where we’d talked, laughed, and had a good time—he left my bag of books on the sofa, along with my bag of expensive bath products, then walked off without a word. Not even a backward glance.

My chest felt heavy as I carried my things up to the bedroom. Taking some time to regroup, I sat on the bed and stared out the small window. The way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed, the teasing tone in his voice, his hand on my back, as if I were his—I hadn’t imagined it all. Sure, the sex dreams were all in my head, but I had experienced the other things. Spent timewith him.

A knock on my door sent my heart fluttering. I swung my gaze toward it.

“Come in,” I called as my eyes watched with expectancy. Hoping it was Bane coming to explain his change.

Than entered the room, and I struggled to keep the smile on my face. This was my friend, and he didn’t deserve a disappointed reaction. He sauntered into the room. His friendly face normally eased my anxiety. Not this time. What Bane had stirred in me was too powerful, it seemed.

“Well, little momma, you look like you survived two days with Bane,” he said with a grin.

I nodded. “Yeah, I managed.” I’d done a lot more than manage.

He chuckled. “Want to come out for a swim with me? We’ve got company coming later. It’s a thing we do after being out of town for a job.”

I didn’t want to leave this room. Not until I had my head on straight with this Bane thing. But I also didn’t want to hurt Than’s feelings.

“Okay, yeah,” I agreed.

He looked pleased. “I’ll meet you down there.”

I nodded, and he turned to leave but paused.

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