Page 23 of Those Who Are Bound

Her dark eyebrow quirked, and with a glint in her eye, she gave him a slow spin, teasing as she watched him over her shoulder. “Like this?”

A grin split his face as she presented her curves to him in slow motion. “Just like that.” Blinking, he shook his head before applying the cool towelette to her lower shoulder. She sucked in a breath and arched her back.

“Sorry.”

“More of a surprise than pain,” she assured him, relaxing back into his care. The warmth of his hand quickly seeped through the wipe. He was gentle, careful, tenderly wiping away stuck-on dirt and loosening dried blood without causing more pain or fresh blood to flow.“You’ve done this before,” she predicted, again looking over her shoulder at him.

Jonah chuckled. “More times than I can count.”

“So, you mark all your women. Is this a branding ritual of yours?”

She’d caught him off guard. His cheeks flushed.

Satisfied with the reaction, Elliott turned away. “You’re blushing, Mr. Montgomery.”

He laughed low. “You’ve…” She’d tongue-tied him.

Raising the cup to her lips, she was far more satisfied with his stunned, amused silence than he could know. He hadn’t snapped out a retort or pointed out that her own foolhardiness had her falling down the hill; he merely accepted it silently, as though this was his mark on her. At least, that’s what she was going to tell herself.

He finished with both arms. “Best I can do with what I have. I can put ointment on it.”

Elliott shook her head. “No, I’ll get it on your car seat.” She turned toward him. “I’m fine, really. Thank you.” She was going to be sore, regardless, but she had enjoyed his attention.

Jonah studied her face for a hint of discomfort. Satisfied that she was being honest with him, he nodded. “Let’s go eat.”

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