Page 3 of Undying Resilience

Still, I’m not ready to go with them on another job—even if I won’t be with them during the times they’re actually working. I can’t help but worry that somehow I will end up with them, just like with the Williams job. And that’s not something I can handle again. Not right now, at least.

“I don’t want to be away from the three of you,” I say eventually. “But going with you scares me. Because of last time.”

Rhett nods. “I understand.”

I press my lips together. I can tell that he doesn’t like the idea of leaving me behind. I don’t like it either, but staying home sounds safer, even if it means being alone.

“We’ll make sure you’re protected,” he says. “Finn will ensure you get to work and back home safe. And anywhere else you need to go.”

“Okay,” I whisper. “Thank you.”

“We’d do anything to keep you safe, sweetheart.” Again, Rhett leans down, capturing my mouth with his. This kiss is far from chaste, but it’s not sexual or hungry either. It’s more of a silent reassurance, like he doesn’t know how else to affirm what he said.

My hands move from Rhett’s chest to his shoulders. I pull him down so his body is pressed against mine, wrapping my arms around his neck. And just like that, our kiss turns heated.

Rhett groans. “We should keep training.” But as he says it, he snakes his arms around my body and rolls us so he’s on his back and I’m lying on top of him.

“We should,” I say, my voice completely lacking conviction. I adjust myself so I’m sitting up, straddling Rhett. Slowly, I roll my hips into his, smiling at how hard he is.

He smirks. “But I’m not one to pass up an opportunity to have you all to myself.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” I give him a mischievous grin. My fingers travel down his chest to his sides, where I tickle him lightly.

Rhett grunts, grabbing my wrists. “You really want to start something you can’t win, Wren?”

Twisting my arms from his grasp, I move for his armpits. But before I’m even halfway there, he starts tickling my stomach. With a squeal, I try to pull his hands away from my body, but he’s too strong.

“I’ll ask you again, sweetheart. Do you really want to start this?” His eyes are darkened with an unspoken challenge: Keep going, and I’ll make you pay.

I pause. “What happens if I say yes?”

“Same as last time. Except it won’t be your pretty little ass that gets spanked. And don’t think I won’t tickle you until you can’t breathe. Because I will.”

With a delighted gasp, I look down at him, gauging the emotions on his face. I’m pretty sure he wants this, but I don’t want to make him feel like he has to do something if he doesn’t want to. They’ve been so good about making sure I’m always comfortable, and I want to do the same for them.

“Do you like giving out punishments?” I ask.

“Only certain ones. And only with the right people.”

I hesitate. “Is this...”

He nods. “This is fine. I’ll tell you if it’s not.”

“So I can tickle you?” I whisper.

He chuckles. “You can try.”

And with that, he flips me onto my back. I laugh, tickling his sides again. But it only takes him a few seconds before he has both of my wrists in a tight hold with one hand. With the other, he yanks my shirt up, lightly brushing his fingers over the sensitive skin of my stomach.

I squirm, trying to free my hands, but it’s no use. Rhett tickles me until I’m a panting, giggling mess. When he finally lets me go, I gasp in a breath, grinning up at him.

“Kiss me,” I say.

He lowers himself, propping himself on his elbows. For a split second, he stares down at me, his gaze traveling over my face. Something passes over his features. Discomfort? Worry? Unease? Maybe all three?

“I love your smile,” he murmurs.

He kisses me before I can respond. I’m so thrown off by the compliment—and the wave of emotions he obviously felt before saying the words—that it takes me a second to remember why I asked him to kiss me.

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