Page 12 of Make Me, Break Me

“From the power of your acidic spew.” I clapped one hand to his chest, and he winced. I paused. “What happened to you?”

“Cracked rib,” he muttered, and closed his eyes like he hadn’t wanted the admission to slip out.

“How?” I raised both eyebrows, some of my humor fading.

“Beau Bennett. Fighting.” He held up a hand. “Just…don’t ask. I got it checked at the hospital on Saturday.”

“Saturday.” I counted in my head. “That’s four days ago.”

“Yeah.”

And we don’t have the sort of relationship where you could have messaged me and told me.

“Who drove you home from the hospital?” I said finally.

“I walked.”

I closed my eyes, fighting back the dual wave of anger and terror that sickened me on so many fronts.I told you sowouldn't fix anything right now, but something else might. “Are you on painkillers?”

“Yeah, but I haven’t used them.”

“Good.”

“Why?”

“It’s my shout tonight.”

Dex stumbled along my hallway. I couldn't tell who giggled worse—me, or him.

Distraction achieved.

I hadn’t meant for either of us to get riotously drunk with my Friday night entertainment,ordance on the tables, but hey, not all things went to plan.

Certainly not my not when he cornered me against the doorframe to my room as I finally managed to free my keys before something along those lines happened. His hips pressed to mine, holding me in place. Not hard like he would if he was about to start something. My confused gaze met his—more discombobulated than ever when his hands cupped my cheeks and he lowered tender lips to mine.

Lips that tasted of hops from the last craft beer we shared.

“What are you doing?” I murmured, a little stunned when he drew back. His large hands still cupped my jaw, and his thumbs brushed the sides of my throat gently.

“Kissing you.” Dex dipped his head before I could reply.

His lips brushed mine, then his tongue sought entry—but in a sweet, gentle kiss that blew my mind from the sheer tenderness of his touch. He tipped my head back for better access and my body moved with him because weknewthis man, trusted him intimately even if I’d never admit to it with anyone else.

A soft sound slipped from my lips. He answered with an approving one of his own as he delved deeper, still with that same sensuous, tender kiss that lifted me against him like I floated on air or some stronger emotion that I didn’t want to admit to right now.

Oh so slowly, Dex drew back, leaving our lips grazing gently against each other in an undeniably intimate caress that would have left me shivering any other time. Only tonight, he’d stolen my ability to react. I sank into the warmth of his hands where they cupped my face. His scarred, calloused palms were a familiar strength I rested against as I struggled to pry dozy eyes open.

He came into view when I blinked languidly. The shiver that wracked me started at the base of my nape and rippled along my spine in slow motion. I trembled in his hands as he made a second approving noise low in his throat, and managed to turn the key in the lock that my hand had forgotten it held.

“Let me come in,” Dex murmured in a low voice. “Let me look after you tonight, Zin.”

Hell, even his voice was sexy, deep and raspy like that.

“I— What day is it?” I leaned back, swaying in his hands.

The corner of his mouth crooked up. “Does it matter?”

“It should.” My brain wasn’t braining. “I’m sure it’s supposed to.”

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