Page 56 of One Touch

“What the hell?”

Lathan jerked back in shock. “You just cussed.”

I ignored him and brought my own hand up to his face. I gently traced the bruise forming with the pad of my thumb. “Eriksson’s dead the next time we play.”

He laughed. “You’re cute when you’re feral, Mills. I’m fine. You should see his face.”

My heart rate slowed, and I took a deep breath. “You should ice this. I’ll go get you some.” I turned to leave, but he stopped me with a hand on my bicep.

“Don’t go. I got some.”

I glanced down at his hand and noticed how red his knuckles were. Pushing my insecurities to the back of my mind, I went into the bathroom and grabbed two washcloths before locating the ice.

“Sit on the bed,” I ordered and unzipped his bag. Lathan always traveled with baggies and portable ice packs, so I grabbed both and placed the ice in the freezer before making two ice packs. Turning, I stumbled at the sight of him half-dressed on the bed.

“And here I expected to take care of you,” he teased.

I rolled my eyes and ignored the rush of arousal. We weren’t in the apartment. Nothing sexual could happen here. Reese’s house was an exception, but I couldn’t expect that rule to apply everywhere else. We were away and on the road. I had to respect his rules. They were for me just as much. If I let myself have him whenever I wanted, I’d never want to stop.

I placed an ice pack on his hand and held the other to his face. We sat quietly on the bed next to one another, and the air became thick with all the things left unsaid. I needed to go. I couldn’t stay here any longer.

“I should go.” I stood and managed to take one step.

“Stay.” Lathan’s free hand grabbed ahold of me and stopped my retreat.

“We’re on the road,” I said in case the punch to his head had jostled that factoid loose.

“I’m aware, Bambi.” He licked his lips, and my eyes fell to his luscious mouth. How I wanted to kiss that plump flesh. But if I did, I’d be a goner.Like you already aren’t…

“The rules,” I reiterated. I needed him to spell out what this was. Too many other things were unclear between us, and I needed this to be crystal clear.

“I’m aware.” His eyes bored into mine, and I felt them all the way to my soul. My hand was still on his face, and he covered my own. It should be weird to be standing over him, but it wasn’t. “It’s come to my recent conclusion that some of our rules are dumb.”

“Oh.” It was the only word I could get out. The rest escaped me as my heart took off like a million galloping horses, their hooves threatening to crush my lungs with their urgency.

“So, will you stay?”

“I… Are you sure?”

“Yes. I want you here. Ineedyou here if I’m honest.”

“Okay.” My answer was simple, but it was all he needed. He smiled and pulled me into his lap. The move was smooth and took me by surprise.

“That’s better.” He snuggled into my neck and tightened his arms around me. For someone who had loathed all physical contact initially, Lathan had become a snuggler. He’d been touch starved and hadn’t known it. Pride bloomed in my chest that I’d been the one to fulfill his need. His body relaxed the longer he held me, and I felt mine do the same.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.

“Yes. I’ll be able to play as long as it’s covered. It’s a dull ache. Nothing Advil can’t cure. What about you?”

“I’ll be fine. Might help my ruggedness factor, actually.”

I chuckled and pulled back. “Did Lathan Silver just make a joke about his pretty face?”

“You’re the one calling it pretty.” He smiled, and a lightness bloomed in my chest. His smiles could power energy plants.

“You are pretty. Gorgeous, really.”

This time, he blushed. “Shut up. You’re the one turning heads everywhere we go.”

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