Page 103 of For Your Eyes Only

“Yeah.” I slide my hands down beside me and attempt to push myself into a sitting position. Nothing happens. “Sorry. I guess my arms aren’t cooperating right now.”

“The doctor said it would take some time for you to get your strength back.” He leans down and grabs me around the torso, pulling me into a sitting position. “Lucky for you, or I would never allow you to sleep in this bed with her.”

“Shit.” I hold his shoulders, feeling incredibly awkward. “Thanks for helping me out. Were you a nurse?”

“No.” His tone is clipped, and he walks over to where a pot of coffee is brewing. “Do you want coffee or vodka?”

“Kind of early for vodka.”

“Not from what I’ve been told.” He pours a cup of coffee and carries it to where I’m stuck, weak and useless.

“Thanks again.” I take a sip, nodding at the flavor. “This is good.”

He returns to the kitchen, where he toasts bread and spreads it with butter and jam, eating and not offering me anything more. I’m not particularly hungry, but I can tell something’s on this guy’s mind.

I’m not much for beating around the bush. “You want to tell me now, or should we wait?”

Lowering his hand with a thud, his eyes flash. “I don’t like you. I don’t know what you’re doing here or what you hope is going to happen, but I’m not letting you hurt Gia again. If you think you’ll come back here and play the sympathy card and get between her thighs, you’re wrong. I’m not letting that happen, pal.”

He’s breathing fast, and I blink down to my hands in my lap. Gia told me about this guy. I know they grew up together, they were engaged, and he feels protective of her. I know I fucked up royally with Gia.

But I had my reasons, and he doesn’t know me.

“I’m not your pal.” Speaking slowly, I have fire in my own eyes. “And I’m not looking to get back in Gia’s good graces, I’m looking to get back into her heart. I hurt her because it was the only way I could protect her from my world. Now my world has essentially imploded, and even if it hadn’t, I was doing everything in my power to get out of it.”

“That doesn’t change what you did, and it doesn’t change the fact that I love Gia. I intend to protect her from you.”

I’m probably not supposed to get overly excited, but I can’t help it. I’m here, and my lady is in my grasp. This guy had better get used to it.

“I love Gia, and I plan to spend the rest of my life making up for what I did to her. I want to make her happy if she’ll give me one more chance. If I do hurt her, you have my permission to hunt me down and make me pay however you see fit.”

That shuts his mouth. He crosses his arms, leaning back in his chair at the table. His eyes are narrowed on me, and my eyes are narrowed on him—until I hear the softest sigh from the bed beside me. It’s a sound that melts the fist of iron in my chest. My beautiful girl.

“Whoa, sorry.” She sits up on the opposite side of the bed, her back to me. “You were already asleep, so I couldn’t explain the sleeping arrangements last night.”

“I don’t mind sharing a bed with you.” My voice is warm, inviting, and I’m gratified to see a hint of pink coloring her cheeks.

“It’s just this apartment is so small, it only has room for one bed, and Michele is already on the sofa.” She goes to the kitchen, where she pours a cup of coffee.

She’s wearing sea-green pajama pants with little mermaids on them and a purple tank top that barely contains her full breasts. My dick stiffens, and I’m glad to know it’s still working after all that’s happened, not that I have the strength to do anything about it.

Or permission.

“No apologies necessary. Thanks for taking me in like this.”

“I figured if I’m fully clothed and you’re still recovering, we can keep it platonic.”

“I’m happy to trade places if you’re uncomfortable,” Michele tells her, giving me a death glare.

Her back is turned, and I realize my eyes have drifted to her round ass in those thin cotton pants. I’m wounded, but I’m not blind.

“You don’t have to worry about me touching you.” Yes, I get the irony of that statement, considering how this all started. “Not that it’s on the table. I know it’s off the table.”

“It’sfaroff the table.” Gia’s glares at me, and she holds up a hand. “I’m sorry. I can make a pallet on the floor if this is too confusing for anyone.”

“Hey.” My voice is level, calming. “It’s not confusing. I understand the arrangements here completely.”

She nods, returning to where I’m lying on my back. “Are you sure you don’t need any pain medication?” She pushes a long, dark curl behind her ear. “You’ve got to be hurting.”

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