Page 61 of Beautifully Wounded

If I’m going to live and survive, then I need to get strong and healthy.

I need to look after myself, because no one else will do that for me.

I’ve wanted that for so long. To be left alone by my family so I can just be me.

Well, here’s my chance. It’s time I started acting like I can actually do this.

“If I eat this and shower, you’ll let me use the Koala-roo app, right?” I ask, finally meeting Ringo’s stormy brown eyes, and he nods.

“If you eat, you can have my phone until dinnertime.”

Slowly, a smile tugs at my lips.

I’m going to get to chat with Tahli and Lexi today. Just the thought has my mood lifting.

I nod, taking the plate from his grip, and taking a bite of the sausage.

Even though my stomach roils again, I force it back, sucking in deep breaths as the flavour hits my tongue and explodes.I swallow the first bite and then have another, closing my eyes as I try to rush my chews before swallowing.

Holding up the sausage, my lips part as I go to take another bite, but then, my gaze locks onto Ringo as he watches me, his focus not on my eyes or hand, but on my lips.

I frown, and he doesn’t even notice.

Slowly, I close my lips around the sausage and sink my teeth in, watching how his eyes and nostrils flare.

Oh.

My.

God.

Is he…

Heat flushes my cheeks, and the bite of sausage nearly chokes me, a cough bursting from my lips as I try to stop the meat from flying from my mouth.

“Shit,” Ringo hisses, moving to me and patting me on the back, but his nearness just makes my skin flare hotter.

What the hell is happening right now?

“I’m okay,” I snap around the mouthful of food and another cough, shifting quickly away from his touch.

He frowns, and I realise he noticed me shift away like I’m scared of him.

Shit.

I’m not scared of Ringo. If anything, I feel safer with him than anyone I’ve ever met.

What I am scared of is the way my body is reacting to him. It’s not repulsed by him at all. Quite the opposite, and I don’t know what to do with that information.

“I’m going to take a shower,” I rush out, but he holds his hand up to stop me.

“Hold up.” He steps closer, pointing at me. “You’ve been wearing the same damn clothes for days. Please tell me you plan on changing them today.”

My brows crease as my gaze drops to the hoodie swimming on me and the black leggings underneath.

“I guess I could change the bottoms.” I shrug, glancing back up to meet his piercing gaze.

“What about my hoodie? Can I have it back?” he asks, and I frown, even as I clutch the neckline, taking a step back.

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