Page 45 of Crossroads of Betrayal
“Hey, I was just teasing,” he said.
“It’s a valid question. One I need to work at finding an answer for. All I know is the last time I was happy, I was with you. And right now, I just want to feel happy.” She rested her hand against his beard, loving the way it tickled her palm.
His eyes widened for a beat before he dipped his head down and captured her mouth in his again.
Her toes curled in her socks. She shifted to get closer to him, and pain shot up her side. Her body stiffened.
“What is it?” He asked, brushing light kisses up her jawline. “Do you want to stop?”
“No,” she said through gritted teeth. “Just my hip.”
He frowned. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
She smiled and stared into his kind, green eyes, his statement speaking to her very soul. No, Zeke had always done everything in his power to keep her safe and happy. He’d never hurt her. She’d been a fool to think walking away from him would ever be the answer to any of her problems. “You won’t.”
His frown morphed into a smirk before he gathered her into his arms and stood.
“Eek!” She tightened her grip around his neck. “What are you doing?”
“There’s no way for you to be comfortable on that couch. I suggest a location change.”
A giddiness she thought she’d never experience again lifted her spirits. Raw, hot desire pooled in her gut, blocking out any pain from her injury. Zeke had been right. She’d never been good at being idle, at sitting around helpless while her mind worked overtime. Lucky for her, he’d just offered an alternative suggestion. One that would hopefully provide long, lazy hours spent in his bed on a rainy morning.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
With one arm curled around Grace’s slim shoulders and the quilt tucked around his chest, a happiness that Zeke hadn’t experienced in so long settled around him like a warm hug.
Well, actually, settled around him like a beautiful, naked woman which was a hell of a lot better.
The aftermath of their lovemaking left his body humming and his breathing labored. The smell of sex and sweat mixed with the ashy scent of the fire—a heady combination forever imprinted on his brain.
Grace propped her head on her hand and traced her fingertip along the side of his face. “I can’t believe I’m really laying here with you right now.”
He grinned. “Me neither. Best damn retreat I’ve ever visited.”
She snorted out a laugh. “I don’t think this is typically the type of therapy Brooke encourages her guests to try.”
“Maybe she should,” he said, pumping his eyebrows.
She chuckled then ran her finger down the bridge of his nose. “Did you break it?”
“What? My nose?”
“Yeah,” she said, eyes wide. “I noticed the other day it’s a little crooked. What happened? Did you get hurt at work?”
The concern in her voice, the gentle touch of her hand, squeezed his chest. Then the truth came back and he cringed. “Can I just say yes and move on?”
She shifted so her face was directly above his. Amusement lifted one side of her mouth.
Unable to resist, he rose up and kissed her.
Shaking her head, she broke away. “I don’t think so buddy. I want to know exactly what happened. Every last detail.”
“Fine.” He sighed, hating this story with his whole being. “Smokey kicked me.”
Grace’s jaw dropped. “What? Penelope’s donkey kicked you in the face? How is that even possible? He’s so sweet…and tiny.”
Sighing, Zeke scrubbed a palm over his beard before capturing her free hand and pinning it to his chest. “I had to grab something in Pen’s house and my sudden appearance startled Smokey. The little guy charged me and caught me off guard. I fell on my ass, he turned, and kicked the snot out of me. Broke my nose and taught me that even the cutest things can be dangerous.”
