Page 110 of Saddled in Secrets
My gentle grip hooks her elbow before she starts the search for her purse. “I’m fine.”
Her gaze is frantic when it collides with mine. “How can you say that? You’re having an allergic reaction!”
“It’s just a rash,” I pacify. “More of a nuisance than anything. My throat doesn’t close or anything.”
The tight pucker of her lips isn’t convinced. “Let me see.”
Hesitation turns my muscles into lead. “I’d rather not show you.”
Bianca’s sharp intelligence zeroes in on the palm still resting on my neck. She circles my wrist and plucks off the makeshift bandage. Without even looking, I know the exposed skin is red and bumpy. Her horrified gasp confirms it.
Tears flood her eyes, gutting me with a dull knife. “You’re not fine.”
“This is just temporary. It’ll clear up by tomorrow.”
“How far does it spread?”
My jaw clamps shut, grinding the truth into dust.
Her watery gaze narrows and she yanks my shirt up. Another strangled noise rips from her. “What the fuck, Colton? It’s all over!
“Barely a flesh wound,” I mutter.
But her stricken expression pinches tighter. “Why did you let me feed you chocolate?”
“Is that a serious question?”
“But you’re suffering.”
I grip her chin in a gentle hold, tilting until our lips brush. “Haven’t you learned by now? I’ll do anything for you.”
A red hue flushes her face to match mine. “Still should’ve stopped me.”
I chuckle, but it lacks humor. “Just for the record, I’d slurp chocolate off your tits even if it killed me.”
Brody gags. “There goes my morning.”
We don’t acknowledge his exit from the kitchen. Bianca is too focused on my condition. A stray droplet trickles down her cheek and I thumb it away. The sight of her misplaced guilt is twenty times worse than the allergic reaction.
“Please don’t cry,” I rasp.
But another tear escapes. “I did this to you.”
“No, I did this to myself. It was my choice. I’d make the same one in a heartbeat.”
“That’s harmful for your health,” she scolds.
Real laughter spews from my throat. “Good one, baby girl. Love is what’s keepin’ me alive. If I have to suffer a rash to make you smile, it’s a small price to pay.”
Her bottom lip wobbles. “I don’t deserve you.”
A reflexive motion drags her against my chest. The close contact singes my flesh, but the desperation to comfort her takes precedence. It’s a pain I’ll gladly endure just to hold her.
Bianca must feel the flames wafting from my upper body. Delicate fingers peel the cotton from my burning skin with the upmost care. I can’t stifle a hiss.
“Sorry,” she whimpers while tugging the fabric over my head. “You’re burning up.”
“Part of the reaction.”
