Page 40 of Stables

The house shudders as the front door bounces against the living room wall.

“Char?” Dixon bellows, turning the corner and sprinting into my room.

Matt lets me drop just as Paisley starts crying, her high pitched wails filling the crowded space.

“Leave her the fuck alone!” Dixon veers around the foot of the bed and leaps towards Matt, his size easily knocking Matt to the floor.

“Get off me!” Matt shrieks, backing himself over the wood towards the hall. His boots fly up, keeping Dixon at bay until he’s through the frame, then kicks the door shut.

Paisley doubles her sobs, clinging to me with frantic clawing at my chest.

I can see Dixon’s nearly bare body in the dim glow from the nightlight in the bathroom. His broad shoulders and narrow waist twist as he rips through his obstacle and disappears towards the kitchen.

What the hell just happened?

My heart races, so I hold Paisley tightly and rock her, kissing the top of her head as the tears pour down my face.

Or is that blood making her hair damp?

Shit.

Tenderly, I explore my lip with my tongue. I think Matt tore the scab off, I can taste the metallic twinge, but it doesn’t feel like I’m bleeding badly.

I hate him more and more.

What was he thinking? How did he get past Dixon?

Is he okay? Did Matt hurt him?

Matt could have killed me.

If Dixon hadn’t been outside, I don’t know if I could have fought Matt off.

I think I’m going to be sick.

There’s a soft knock on the frame.

“Char? Are you hurt?” Dixon’s voice is hoarse. “Matt ran off, looks like he had his car parked down the road. Little shit outran me then took off.” He still sounds winded.

Paisley whimpers, burying her face against my shoulder.

“I think so. But he might have busted my lip open again.” It feels sore when I talk.

“Can I turn the light on to check?” He stays near the door, a pale shadow that fills the opening.

“Yea, that’s fine.” I tug the blanket up to cover Paisley’s eyes before the overhead bulb blinds us both.

Damn.

He’s a wall of muscle, and those blue boxer briefs aren’t hiding the substantial bulge he carries very well.

Watching him move closer, his crotch is at eye level from the mattress.

Jesus. Did he beat Matt off with that thing?

My cheeks feel like they’re on fire as he squats next to the bed.

The view of his wide, bare chest doesn’t make me feel any less…um…exposed.

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