Page 24 of Twisted Trails
He opens my thighs and steps between my legs, and Igasp, a soft intake of breath I can’t control. He smiles, all lazy affection as he efficiently pulls the plastic off my arm and strokes his knuckle across my cheek.
“How are you feeling now,ma Petite?”
I smile. “Better.”
“That’s good.” His palm shifts to cup my neck. “I know we have a lot to talk about, and I understand you’re still too ruffled up for that conversation. But if I’ve learned anything in this mess, it’s that Idohave patience. Even if it only lasts for you.”
My breath escapes in a shaky exhale, and his eyes dip to my mouth. He sighs before pressing our foreheads together.
“There’s only one thing I need to know now, okay?” he whispers, eyes closed. “Just one thing I need, and I can wait for everything else. I can be there for you. I can hold your hand through all of it. The mess, the truth, but Ineedthis one answer.”
I feel like I’m on top of the mountain, heart racing, full of adrenaline. “What?”
“Are you my friend, Alaina?”
Tears brim in my eyes as my heart splits wide open, and I slide my fingers into the damp curls at the nape of his neck, keeping him close.
“We’re more than friends, Luc,” I whisper, and then I kiss him.
He sinks into the kiss immediately, like he’s been waiting for it. It’s almosttoosoft for how close we are, for how naked we are, wrapped only in towels. His thumb slips into the hollow at the base of my throat, and I melt under him, pressing closer.
My hand moves over the hard line of his ribs to the dip of his waist, and he shudders. Then my fingers trace down his abs, which constrict, and I get close to the edge of histowel. He growls softly into my mouth and deepens the kiss, stealing my breath.
A sharp rap at the bedroom door has us freezing before two more knocks follow.
Luc groans against my lips. “Ignore it.”
I let out a helpless laugh and am about to agree when my brother’s voice calls through the walls.
“Alaina! Dad is here.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Alaina
After quickly dressing in sweats and a T-shirt, I yank the door open with my casted hand. Dane’s face greets me, grumpy as ever, with his arms crossed.
“What did you just say?” I ask, heart still thumping hard from everything.
“Dad is here,” Dane repeats, arching a brow at me.
“How in the world?—”
“He called me from the hospital,” he cuts in. “I had to tell him where we went.”
“What? The hospital I was in yesterday?Here?In France?”
“Yes.”
My stomach flips. “Why the hell was he there in the first place?”
“The fuck I know.” Dane shrugs, eyes tight. “But I’m sure he’s about to tell us.”
“Fuck.” I drag a hand through my wet hair. Luc steps up beside me and slides his hand around my waist possessively, murmuring something supportive I don’t quite catch.
Dane’s eyes flick to his hand, then to me. “You able to dothis?” he asks, scanning me from head to toe. “You broke two fingers and were unconscious from hitting your head again.”
“I’m not unconscious now,” I shoot back. “And I’ve broken worse.”
