Page 5 of Lit Up by My Brother's Best Friend

“Did you hit your head?” he asks, full of concern. Right. Because that’s what he’s doing. Checking for lumps. Not caressing me. He’s a firefighter for goodness’ sake. This is literally his job. He’s just doing his job, Sierra.

“I’m fine.” I struggle to find my arms and then realize they’ve wrapped themselves around his warm, muscular torso. That chest. Mhmm! If I run my hand across his chest slowly and sloppily enough maybe I can feel his nipple without him noticing. Damn it! What am I thinking? I jerk my arms off of him and clumsily extract myself from the human cradle he made for me.

We’re both standing now, and he’s steadying me with his gaze and two strong hands loosely gripping my biceps.

“Are you hurt?”

This is so embarrassing, but I know I have to tell him. So I do. Sort of. “Umm…jesmyankleandmywrist.”

“What?”

“And my head.”

“What?” His eyebrows shoot to the sky. “Your head? Where?”

I shouldn’t have told him that part. Then again…his hands are braced under my jaw again and he’s staring into my eyes. So maybe it was a good move. Nope. I’m getting lost in those eyes. Those eyes that are oodles of cool. See? Who even says oodles of cool? That’s not even a thing. But me. I say oodles of cool. I shake my head.

“Don’t move,” he warns me sternly.

“I don’t know why I even have a headache. I didn’t fall on my head.”

His eyes dartover to the fence. “Maybe you banged it on the metal post when you fell back.”

I follow his line of sight and rub the back of my head. “Maybe.”

“Damn it, Sweets. I hope you don’t have a concussion.”

“I don’t.” I say stubbornly like I’m a doctor and know such things.

“That’s it. I’m getting you checked out.”

“No. Please.” Pleading, I grip my hands on his forearms. Whew! Who knew there could be so many muscles in forearms? I’m feeling woozy, and the knowledge pools warmly between my legs. “I really don’t want anyone to know about this.”

“Why?” His eyes are searching.

“I just don’t. Ugh. It’s so embarrassing.” I look up into his face. “Please, Hunter.”

“Fine. But I have three conditions.”

“Three? How did you even think of three conditions that quickly—”

His finger is on my mouth, sealing my lips shut. That’s not very nice. But…it is at the same time.

“One. I’m taking you home now. Two. You’re telling me the whole story. Three. I’m staying the night.”

“What?” I screech. Then I look around desperately to see if anyone heard that ungodly sound exit my mouth. Thankfully we’re alone. I’m especially grateful we’re alone because if that shriek wasn’t enough, now I’m spluttering. All over him. I know this because he actually takes his hands and wipes the lower half of his face. “You don’t have to stay the night. That’s ridic—”

“I’m staying. If you have a concussion, I’m going to be there to monitor you.”

“Monitorme? I don’t need a babysitter.”

He tilts his head at me. Waits. When I say nothing, he nods toward the fence.

“Fine.” I cross my arms and send him a death stare in order to brace myself for the harsh words I’m about to say to him, “But I’mnothappy about this.” There. I didn’t want to go there. But someone had to say it.

Chapter 4

HUNTER

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