Page 41 of Demanding Mob Boss

I thought it was disgusting and told him so.

My aunt and uncle were both angry with me, but I wouldn't apologize. Not about that. My cousins and their gross attitude toward women and sex are one of the reasons I'm still a virgin. The other is that allowing someone into my personal space is not my thing.

Except Cian. But he's not here.

My body is jittery with all the touches from the elevator. I think what happened in Cian's office opened up my receptors, because everything is so much more than usual. And the sounds, smells and touch of the world around is usually too much to begin with.

My fingernails clicking in a steady, unrelenting rhythm, I'm humming as I say my rhyme inside my head. Over and over again. It doesn't help. Why doesn't it help?

Then I feel him. Cian.

I look up, dropping my half-eaten sandwich and bottle of water on the floor. I surge up from my chair and grab his arm. But for the first time, it's not enough. Things are still too much. I want to curl up in a corner, behind a chair where no one can touch me.

Cian's expression is grim. He's upset about his sister even if his face doesn't show it. He doesn't need my issues on top of everything else.

I'm useless. I'm not a good friend. I can't stay here anymore. Cian needs better friends. Not me.

Never me.

I'm not enough. I can't be. I need space. I turn and run toward the elevator. Jabbing the button, I'm trying so hard not to lose it completely. Cian doesn't need that. He needs to be here with his family. Not to be concerned about me.

"I'll see you later," I force myself to say over my shoulder, trying to sound normal. "I need to get going."

Only Cian is right there. His arms come around me, strong and sure. He pulls me into his body wrapping me up tight. His heat and solid presence against my back lets me breathe again.

My muscles loosen and I don't care how weak this makes me. I need it. I let myself lean against him. He turns me, so all I can smell is him. All I can feel is his arms around me. All I can hear is his heartbeat. I lean hard against his chest, listening to the steady thump as my body's fight or flight response ebbs.

"Are you ready to go?" he asks, like none of this is out of the ordinary.

"Yes," I croak out. "Could someone take me home?"

I could get the L, but just the thought of all the people on the train makes nausea rise in my throat. I'll splurge for a rideshare at this point even if that means no new books for the next month.

He doesn't answer, just keeps holding me tight. I hear the ding indicating the elevator's arrival and then the swoosh of the doors opening. Without pushing or releasing me, he guides us into the elevator. One of the men that was in the waiting room joins us.

"Where is Connor?" I ask, just now realizing he didn't come inside the hospital with us.

"He went back to run the office."

"I should join him." I probably never should have left. I really shouldn't have let my boss touch me so intimately and lost track of what was going on around me so completely.

"No." Cian's arms tighten around me. "You are going home and resting."

I want to say I don't need to rest, but the truth is, I don't think I can handle any more stimulation. If I knew I would be alone with Connor in the office that might work, but right now, I'm not even sure I could be around Connor without losing it.

The doors ding and open. I know we aren't at the lobby yet. Stifling a whimper, I press harder into Cian's body.

His arms tighten around me. "Take the next car. This one is full," he barks. That happens twice more before we reach the ground floor.

Cian keeps me close to him all the way to the car, though he lets me turn and walk by his side once we exit the elevator. When we get to the car, he pulls the seatbelt across my body, buckling me in.

I force myself to meet his eyes. "I'm sorry. I wanted to help you and now you're having to take care of me."

"You saved the lives of at least two dozen frat boys today, Anna. You did help." He brushes my cheek with his fingertip and I lean toward his hand. He cups my face. "You are so damn sweet."

"Will Shea be okay?" I ask, because I want to know.

"Physically, she will heal completely."

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