Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
"Am I okay?" There is a tremble to her words that has me clenching my fist.
"You need to cry, then cry. Don't fight it; let it out." Her eyes widen slightly before she bursts into tears. The sound rips through me. I unclip my seat belt and pull her into my lap. I have seen my father do it to Mom before; it always calms her, and right now I'll do whatever I need to do to soothe her. It soothes me deep inside too.
Blair buries her face in my neck. I’m way out of my depth here. I have never had a woman in my lap weeping. I run my hands up and down her back.
“I can’t believe I’m in your lap crying.” Blair sniffs. Any hardness my heart has in it cracks in this moment.
“I want you here,” I tell her. Blair tenses for a second before relaxing again. My words must have freaked her out. I’m not sure. I can’t read her without seeing her face.
We sit in silence for a few moments. Her sweet scent surrounds me. For once in my life, I shut my brain down and allow myself to enjoy the moment. I didn’t think feeling like this was an option for me, but I was dead wrong.
It doesn’t go unnoticed by me that she shifts a little closer. She should be trying to get as far away from me as possible, but that’s not the case.
I’ll do whatever I have to to keep her right where she belongs. Here, with me. That is the only option.
Chapter Four
BLAIR
Why the hell am I in his lap? Not only that, why does he smell so freaking good? His woodsy, sexy scent wraps around me. It’s annoying because I shouldn’t like it, but it’s weirdly comforting, and I don’t even like the outdoors. I must be losing my mind. That’s got to be it. My mind simply snapped.
My mouth brushes his neck, and I feel his Adam's apple move. It was an accident.
Liar.
Furthermore, why did he say he wants me here? He sounded so pissed at Damon. That makes two of us. What if I could turn him against his brother and then have him murder him in revenge?
Yikes. I have been hanging around these Marinos too much.
“Where are we?” I ask when I get my composure.
“Outside of the city.”
“No shit, Sherlock.”
“Sherlock?” His body jerks like he barked a laugh, but no sound came out.
“Seriously. We have to be past the Marino compound unless you’re going in circles.”
“You’re a clever girl, Hellcat.” I fight a smile at him calling me that. “I’m taking us to my cabin.”
“Why?”
“It’s safest there.” That doesn’t really answer my question. I lift my head to meet his dark, intense gaze.
“That tells me nothing.”
“Would you rather be in the hole?” He sounds offended.
“That’s a stupid-ass question.”
Eros cocks his head. “It was,” he agrees with me. “I won’t take you back there. Do you want Damon?” That question comes out of left field. For me at least.
“Nope, in fact I’m plotting to turn you against him so that you’ll murder him for me.”
“Would that make you happy?” I bark an unexpected laugh, but mine fills the inside of the SUV.
“He can live, but I hate him now.” I wiggle in his lap. “Maybe I should—” I nod over to my empty seat.
“You want back in your seat?”
“Probably for the best.”
“That’s not an answer.” Does he want me to stay here? I didn’t take Eros as a cuddler. Pretty sure I am, and my cat Binx pretends to hate it.
“Yes, back in my seat.” He lifts me easily, placing me in it like I’m a doll. Then he pulls my seat belt over me. It clicks loudly. I snag him by the wrist. “You’re keeping me safe?”
“Yes.”
“From whom?”
“Everyone.” I drop my hold on him, and Eros puts the SUV back into drive. The car falls silent, and it’s a fight not to break it with idle chatter or pepper him with questions. He’s not that great at answering them. Thankfully he speaks first. “What is your relationship with Damon?”
“Your brother?”
“Yes.”
"I don’t know if it counts as a relationship."
Eros snaps his eyes my way momentarily. “A situationship? That’s what it’s called.” His tone is dark and intimidating. Should I ask if “keeping me safe” is from him too? Not sure I want that answer.
“Oh, God no.” I never thought of Damon that way. In fact, I don’t think of anyone that way. I think? Eros has me questioning that. “I just don’t know if we were friends or not. I thought on some level we had mutual respect for each other, but I was wrong.” I roll my eyes at myself.
“When it comes to keeping the family safe, there isn't much we won’t do.”
"No matter the casualties," I mutter, turning my attention back out the window. As annoyed as I am over that, I respect it on some level, or maybe I’m jealous of it.