Page 157 of Ensnared

“Ishe awake?”Beauasks, ignoring whateverJaykwas snarling at him about.

Iwork up a smile forJasper, wondering how awkward this is going to be.Hedidn’t seem happy after our liaison in his study, and—

Inthe next instant,Jasperhas my face cupped between his hands, and his mouth crashes down on mine.Histongue prises between my lips, tangling with mine in desperate urgency.Isigh into the kiss as he holds my face close, andItaste a sting of salt.Irealize more tears have escaped him, andItry to gentle the storm, easing back untilI’mpressing soft, comforting kisses against his lips.

“It’sokay,”Iwhisper between kisses. “I’mokay.”

Actually,Ican’t hold myself up.I’dsayIfeel weak as a kitten butI’mpretty sure a kitten could kick my ass right now.Still, even weak and dizzy and with every movement an agony,Iwouldn’t stop this for anything.

Jasper’skissing me likeImatter.

Hefinally pulls back, sucking in a deep breath, and settles me back into the bed.Hegives me a dark look as he pulls out an embroidered handkerchief from his slacks and cleans his damp cheeks with zero shame.Thelook promises punishment, butI’mstarting to float.

Iabruptly remember we have company and lift my eyes toBeauandJayk, who are both staring at us in shock.JasperandIhave never been thatovertin front of anyone before.Andbarely in private either.Ican’t keep my lips from splitting into a wide grin.

Beau’slips twitch in response, andJaykjust scowls.

“Howdo you feel?”Beauasks, moving forward.Hepulls his stethoscope up from around his neck and presses the chilly metal against my chest.Jasperwatches him with concern.

“Horny,”Irespond, then cough when my raw throat protests.

Jasperstands quickly and pours me a cup of water asBeaugives me a dry look.

“Youhave no idea how lucky you really are.Aninch either way and either of those bullets would have ended you in seconds.Asit was,Iwasn’t sure you’d make it.”

I’mnot really sure how to respond to that, soIjust say, “Iknew you’d take care of me, doc.”

Jaspermakes a sound suspiciously like a growl as he hands me my water, andIshoot him an innocent look.

Beauremoves the stethoscope from my chest and studies me. “Sohow are you rea—”

“He’sfine,”Jayksnaps impatiently, seeming to break out of his momentary surprise. “He’stalking.We’reall thrilled you’re alive yada yada, andBeaucan keep patching you up all night, but for now just tell us where your fucking stash is.”

Ifrown, confused. “My—”

“Yourstash, your hidey hole, whatever you call it where the weapons are.We’vebeen searching for it for a day and a half.”

“Arewe still under attack?Whyare you all here when—”

“Forfuck’s sake,”Jaykbursts out, and that interrupting thing is getting really annoying.

Still, he looks more agitated thanI’veever seen him.Hesteps toward me aggressively, andJaspersteps in front of him, cutting him off.Jaspermay be tall, butJaykhas him well and truly out-muscled.AndyetJasperlooks as cold and calm as he ever has.I’mgoing to get hard despite how shittyIfeel if he keeps defending me like this.

Beaugrimaces. “Jayk,IsaidI’dask him.Stepout if you can’t control yourself.”

Someof that floating sensation starts to fade asItake in the tension in the room.ImeetBeau’seyes, knowing he’ll give it to me straight.

Henods at me. “Thehunters have scattered.EdenbroughtDoman arsenal from your stash, and he blew the bulk of them to pieces while we got to safety.There’sno sign that they’re coming back to the house—wouldn’t be much point now anyway, since it’s shot to hell, and they’ve realized there are no women here like they thought.”

Jaykhisses in impatience, butBeaudoesn’t react, keeping his gaze steady on mine.Thisis all sounding like good news soIknow there has to be more.

“Inthe middle of this,Edenwent back to get more weapons.”

Mystomach sinks, only now reading the fear and worry inBeau’sface.

Hisvoice turns husky. “Thatwas over eighteen hours ago.Wehaven’t seen her since.Dom’sout looking, but... we don’t know where to start, and there are tracks everywhere.”

Ishake my head, not understanding.Shewas meant to be safe.Outof all of them, they were meant to keep her safe.

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