Page 68 of Branded
“Don’t,” I began.
She rose, holding the stuffed toy in her hands.
And I had to physically ground myself to not move back. Fuck. The thing had little black beady eyes that were piercing straight into my soul.
“Do you not—?” Her eyes flicked to mine then down to the monster she held. “Are you scared of a…wombat?”
“Don’t say their name,” I said, averting my gaze, and in doing so, seeing that we’d gained an audience.
Theo and Raph were in the doorway, arms crossed, mouths turned up into a smirk.
Were they fucking serious right now?
They were trying to usurp my role as the ultimate shit-giver, prankster, and they were doing it in front of Kailey? Getting her involved. My woman involved.
“You fuckers,” I growled, taking a step toward them.
Their smirks increased in wattage.
“Conner.”
Her soft voice drew my gaze back to hers.
She still held the toy.
“Can you—?” A nod that had her glancing down at her hands, biting back a smile. But she set the toy down on her desk, and I ignored her eyes dancing with mirth.
Then she stepped closer. “I didn’t know,” she whispered. “No, that’s not fair. I knew Raph was up to some mischief.” She pressed her palm to my cheek then bit and released her bottom lip. “But I didn’t think it was something that would scare you. I’m sorry.”
I liked when there was fire in her eyes.
I hated the uncertainty that had drifted in during this conversation.
So, I ignored the fuckers in the hallway. I’d deal with them later. Then I moved to her, took her tiny, capable hands in my own, and brought her close.
Progress that she didn’t resist me, even in front of our audience, when she let me pull her close. “They’re just fucking with me. Don’t worry about it.”
Concern in those green eyes. “Why?”
My mouth turned up. “Because we’re hockey players and around each other too much and we’re basically overgrown children and—” I shrugged. “It’s what we do. What I do. Keeps the room light. Just usually…”
Her face went gentle, but a bit of laughter danced along the edges. “It’s you who gives the shit, instead of receiving it?”
“I—”
“He means yes,” Raph chimed in.
Unhelpfully.
That was an unhelpful chime in. For the record.
In case anyone was wondering.
“Why are you fuckers still here?” I growled over my shoulder.
Now delight danced in her eyes. “Is this part of being friends?” she teased. “Are you going to give me shit?”
Now delight danced in my stomach, bubbling up and sliding through my veins, filling me with happiness. “I’m gonna give you something,” I muttered.
