Page 33 of Corrupted Union

Equal degrees of smugness and violence fought for dominance in my head. I liked knowing I could give her something he couldn’t, but I fucking abhorred thinking of that worthless piece of shit inside her. Instead of saying something I’d regret, I carried her to the bathroom.

Reality slowly trickled back in, leaving us both silent.

I lifted her shirt over her head and unclasped her bra. When my gaze lifted to the mirror, I discovered she had a vine tattooed the length of her spine. Again, not what I expected. Would I ever begin to know this woman, or was it in her nature to keep everyone guessing?

My need to find out overwhelmed me.

“Is that ivy?” I asked, moving close enough to trail my fingers down her spine, watching the movement in the mirror.

A full-body shiver overtook her. “Yeah,” she said softly. “You have so many tattoos, it would take a lifetime to identify them all.” Her hand hesitantly grazed my chest, drifting along the trunk of a Celtic tree of life tattooed over my heart. A constant reminder of my roots.

“Not quite that many, but yeah. I’ve spent some time under the needle.” I could stand there and let her touch me all damn night, but I didn’t want her to freeze to death. “Let’s get you showered. Then we need to talk.”

I didn’t correct him.Better he thought I was cold than know it was his attention on my tattoo that had shaken me.

Keir turned on the water, which was instantly a perfect steamy temperature. He guided me inside but didn’t follow. Instead, I watched through the glass while he used a washcloth at the sink to clean himself then disappeared into the closet. The hot water was ineffective at warding off a cold uncertainty that settled deep in my bones.

I’d just had sex with Keir Byrne.

No, I’d just been fucked by Keir Byrne. There was a difference. Hell, we hadn’t even used a condom. I was on birth control, so I wouldn’t get pregnant.

And what about STDs, Ro?

If I got a disease, I deserved it. I probably deserved that and more.

I scrubbed myself clean with his body wash, trying to ignore what the familiar scent did to my insides. I hadn’t planned to wash my hair when I stepped in the shower but found myself stepping back into the stream of water and letting the liquid heat soak my head. Heavy rivulets poured down my face. It was too bad they couldn’t take my shame with them.

Maybe if I quit trying so hard to do the right thing, it might happen for once.

It’s not all that bad,whispered that inner voice.We’ll figure a way out of this.

God, I hoped so.

It would be a little easier if I had the tiniest clue what Keir was thinking. Not that it should matter. We weren’t in a relationship and never would be. The best thing I could do for myself right now was accept that I had a big problem and would have to find a way out myself. My life hung in the balance. I couldn’t sit back and hope Keir or anyone else would jump into the burning building to save me.

I willed all weakness and doubt to drain away with the water at my feet before getting out of the shower. Keir had placed my clothes on the vanity. I chided myself when the sight triggered a degree of disappointment.

You’re allowed to be a little hurt when every sign says he’s ready to send you on your way. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am is so not cool.

“No, I’m not allowed to be disappointed. That indicates I’m still counting on him to stick around, and that’s a big mistake.” I was suddenly unsure I’d made the right choice seeking out Keir.

“Am I interrupting?” His low rumble startled me. I whipped my head around toward the door, wincing when I pinched a nerve with the quick motion.

“No. I sort of have a habit of talking to myself.” I hung my towel on a rack and prayed he hadn’t heard what I’d said.

On second thought, maybe it was best. I didn’t want him to think I was some simpering girl who couldn’t take care of herself.

“I put some food together. Come eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Never asked if you were. Now, come on.” He walked away, giving me the chance to roll my eyes without him seeing. “Do that again, and I’ll spank that ass.”

“Do what?” I asked innocently. He sent a warning glare over his shoulder.

What was it about Keir Byrne that made me so damn obstinate? I’d spent my life not making waves, but with Keir, I couldn’t stop from splashing water everywhere.

Once in the kitchen, he slid a plate with half a sandwich across the island to me and stared at me until I reluctantly took a small bite.

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