Page 52 of By His Play

“Is that a promise?” I tease as I turn my back on him so he can lift me.

His large hands wrap around my waist, and not a second later, my feet leave the floor.

He’s always lifted me as if I’m as light as a feather. Maybe that was true when I was fifteen, but I’ve gained a few curves since then.

“Got it?” he asks as my fingers curl around the top of the railing.

“No,” I cry, suddenly even more terrified that I’m going to break a leg.

He chuckles before shifting his hands.

I let out a shriek so loud a couple of birds take flight out of the closest tree, scaring me even more.

“Kieran,” I cry when his hands land on my ass.

“Just pull yourself over before I throw you,” he warns lightly.

“You wouldn’t.”

“Do you want to find out?”

Rolling my eyes, I make the most of the added height advantage and throw my leg over.

I pray that I’m going to survive this with all my limbs intact. My other leg follows the first, and I jump.

I cry out as I land awkwardly, my ankle rolling painfully causing me to crash to the ground in a heap.

“Oh shit,” Kieran grunts. I don’t look up to see how easily he jumps the railing; it’s just not necessary.

I do see the moment he drops to his knees before me, concern written across his face.

“Are you okay?”

“Twisted my ankle,” I say sadly, pushing myself up so I’m sitting.

“Can’t take you anywhere,” he mutters before falling to his ass and lifting my foot from the ground.

He pushes my sweatpants up my calf before I can stop him.

“Ow,” I complain as his fingers begin massaging my ankle in the most incredible way.

He hits one particular spot, and I can’t help myself, a filthy moan spills from my lips. It’s not a sound I’ve heard myself make in a very, very long time.

His fingers still, and my cheeks burn.

“I think it’s okay now,” I say in a rush as I pull my foot from his lap and gingerly get to my feet. “Shall we go?”

14

KIERAN

We walk toward our favorite place in the park in silence, her moan on repeat in my ears.

It was...

I close my eyes for a beat, trying to force the thoughts away.

I’m meant to be looking after Effie right now, not having these wild ideas about what it might have been like to keep going, to work my way up her leg and?—

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