Page 25 of Jagger

“I’m gonna curse all I damn well want. Who did that to you?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

I wasn’t in the mood to fight with her or have her lying to me either. I moved past the island, wrapping my hand around her wrist and tugging on her arm.

“You’re hurting me.” There was instant fear in her eyes, her mind slamming into a real belief I was planning on hurting her.

Of all the horrible things I’d done in my life, my soul likely ineligible to reach heaven no matter how many good deeds I performed, I’d never hurt a woman.

While I softened my grip, I refused to let her go.

She shoved her other hand against my chest. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Trying to protect your ass from doing something stupid. Shoot me because I give a damn if someone hurt you.” I took another look before dropping her arm, walking away with the same attitude as she’d just given me. The bruises were deep andthe way she’d winced indicated whoever had grabbed her had attempted to break her wrist. My gaze flew back to her face just for an instant. But it was enough to take in her beauty in an entirely different way.

Her hair was unruly and wet from the snow, her mascara smudged from a rough night. She was still in the same clothes as when I’d met her in the hotel, yet to me, she had a warm glow about her. She was a stunning beauty who didn’t deserve whatever hand had been dealt to her.

“I don’t need protecting!”

We were at an impasse again. Maybe we always would be.

“What you did was reckless and stupid.”

She huffed. “You’re calling me stupid now? You’re batting a thousand, buster.”

Yeah, I was. I closed my eyes, doing what I could to slide into another personality. “Who hurt you?”

“Nobody.”

“Don’t give me shit about some fall or ridiculous accident. I wasn’t born yesterday. Some asshole tried to break your wrist and if he’s someone from the resort, I will break his neck.”

For only the second time her features softened. “You’d really do that?”

“Yeah, I would.” I meant it too.

“You’d go to prison for someone you don’t know.”

Someone I wanted to know. Shit. I wasn’t entirely certain what I was saying. “Answer that for yourself. I’m going to restoke the fire.” I let her go entirely, but remained furious.

As soon as I started to turn away, she touched my arm. “Jagger. Wait.”

“What?”

“Thank you for all you’ve done. I know I said it before, but I honestly mean it. Your kindness means more than you could understand. I just can’t talk about what I’ve been through. Okay? I’m sorry I ran out and risked your safety.”

I stood where I was, unable to face her again at this point.

“Don’t mention it,” I grumbled. “Just promise me you won’t do that shit again. I might not be around to save your ass the next time.”

“I promise.”

“I need to call in the stranded vehicle while we still have internet service.”

“Okay.”

Promises. For more than a few reasons, I wasn’t certain she knew how to keep them. While a part of me wanted to grill her about the son of a bitch who’d dared touch her, I bit back all urges to continue pressuring her.

The truth was that in my world, the less I knew the better. Getting close to her wasn’t an option. But I’d need to drill into her pretty little head that she needed to remain cautious, even in a small town like Danger Falls.

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