Page 59 of Swallow Your Fear
My eyelids opened as I tilted my head back slightly to get a good look at him. “Did you just compliment me without your dick inside me?”
He frowned, which caused a smile to bloom on my lips. “Careful, Darlin’. Don’t encourage me.”
Just the thought alone had my core heating. “Well, I’m notthathurt.”
He shook his head, shooting the idea down. “I’m not risking it. In a week, we’ll talk.”
My mouth popped open. “A week?”
“You should be glad I’m not saying until the end of your healing.”
I shrugged, relaxing my back against his warm chest again. “Wouldn’t matter if you did. I couldn’t possibly stay away that long.”
“Some might say that’s a little obsessive so soon into our relationship.”
My cheeks heated slightly at the use of the label. “They’d say the same about you breaking into my motel room wearing a mask.”
His heart fluttered at my back. “You liked it, though.”
That smile stayed stuck to my face as I admitted, “I did.”
The door squeaked open, and McKenna’s face appeared in the crack. As soon as she saw I was awake, she opened it wider and slipped inside. She shut it behind her, then crossed to the bed. “Brynne, I’m so sorry?—”
“Don’t apologize,” I cut her off. “This wasn’t your fault.”
“I should have stayed with you instead of getting caught up with Grace.”
She sat on the bed beside me, taking in the bruises littering my neck. Then, her eyes trailed to the stitches, and she winced. “I’m so sorry.”
“McKenna.” I reached out, grabbing her hand. I was in one of Booker’s t-shirts with shorts on underneath, and only had the sheet over my legs. My back was propped up against the pillows so I could eat easier once Booker brought my dinner up. “None of this was your fault.”
The door opened again, and this time, Austin and Henley entered. They’d wanted to check on me after my bath, but Booker had told them to wait so I could have a few minutes alone before McKenna got here.
McKenna’s eyes immediately narrowed on Henley, and she shot off the bed, aiming right for him. I instantly regretted telling her the little information I did. “You.” She raised a hand, her feet stomping the ground, but before her slap could land true on Henley, Austin grabbed her wrist.
Austin walked her back a step. “Calm down, vicious kitten. No need to get the claws out.”
“He’s the reason that son of a bitch even had his sights on her in the first place!” she yelled.
I flinched, because she was right. But I didn’t blame him. What happened happened, and pinning the blame on someone when there was nothing they could do to change the past was a waste of energy.
McKenna tried to wrench her wrist free, but once shefigured out it was no use, she threw her whole body at Austin. He had no choice but to wrap his arms around her.
“Just one fucking slap!” she complained. “That’s all I want!”
“Not happening,” Austin said.
She groaned in frustration, then acted like she was done. Austin waited a moment before loosening his hold on her, and in a flash, she was trying to dart for Henley again. Henley stepped to the side, watching as Austin hefted McKenna up over his shoulder.
Her fists came down on his back. “Put me down, you fucking caveman!”
He carried her to the opposite side of the room from Henley, who still stood by the door. “Stop trying to attack my friend and I might.”
He plopped her down in the chair, bracing both hands on the armrests on either side of her to keep her planted.
“You know you want to hurt him for it, too,” she said, trying to quiet how loud her voice had gotten in her rage.
“I want to do a lot of things to a lot of people, kitten, but it ain’t going to get me anywhere by doing it.”
