Page 76 of Beautifully Wounded

It’s weird to feel like this over simply getting her to eat, but fuck, I think I’ll make it my mission to see her eat like this for every fucking meal.

I watch her in silence, leaving her to enjoy the food, loving how she sometimes has her mouth full, the fork piled with food ready to go, and her other hand picking up whatever it can to shove in her mouth before she’s even finished chewing.

It’s not long before she’s full, and even though there’s still a lot of food left, I don’t force her to eat more since I’d over piled the plate.

Leaning back in her chair, Abbey presses her hand to her chest, and she sighs, a small smile tugging at her lips.

“That good, huh?”

She nods. “Delicious.”

Placing the chop bone back on my plate, I use a napkin to wipe my fingers clean. “In future, if you want something in particular to eat, tell me. I don’t care what you’re eating, just as long as you are. You’re too skinny.”

A single brow shootsup as she studies me. “What if I want a big bowl of French fries and a tub of cookies and cream ice cream?”

“Then that’s what I’ll get for you.”

She rolls her eyes. “We are in lockdown.”

“And?” I ask. “You do remember who I am. I don’t exactly obey the law if it gets in the way of what I need or want.”

Something about what I said causes her to blush, and she starts nibbling on her thumbnail.

“What?” I ask, and she shrugs.

“If I really wanted those things, and they weren’t here, would you really break the law to go out and find them?”

I nod. “Of course.”

“Why?” She frowns, and I consider lying, telling her that Lexi demanded I take care of her, but again, I find I don’t want to do that. I want her to know the truth.

“I want to make you happy.”

This only makes her frown deepen. “But why? We aren’t friends.”

“Aren’t we?” I ask, and now she looks more confused. “Did I not hold you when you fell apart a few days ago? Have I not offered to keep you safe? Have I not protected you, fed you, made sure you changed out of your smelly clothes? Isn’t that what friends do?”

“In all fairness, the changing clothes thing was probably more for your benefit.” She deadpans, and I chuckle.

“Good point.”

“And you’re keeping me safe and all that stuff because Lexi asked you to.”

“Fine, but what about the part when I held you until you cried yourself to sleep in my arms?”

She shrugs, her eyes turning glassy. “You have a conscience.” It comes out more like a question, and I shake my head.

“Nope. Try again.”

“You don’t want Lexi to think you’re being a prick?”

I chuckle at that. “Nope. Not even close. She already knows I can be a prick, and so do you.”

“I don’t know then,” she whispers, her eyes falling to her lap where her fingers are fidgeting.

“Eyes up.” I demand, and there they are, flecks of gold amongst the caramel, as she looks at me with uncertainty. “I may be a prick, and a monster to some, but to you, well… I’d consider you a friend. Especially since we’ve been sharing a bed and a bathroom, and well, I’m pretty sure you were checking out my dick earlier.”

“Oh, my god!” She squeals, shooting up from the chair as my chuckle fills the space. “You’re an animal.” She declares, hurrying to the other side of the room, putting space between us.

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