“I want you to use it every day, twice a day if possible,” he rumbled. “I hate the idea of you in pain, Kieran.”
The way he said that caused my chest to squeeze with happiness as I offered him a small smile, as if his words didn’t carry such intense weight. “Well, why don’t you help me then? I probably have some bruises I can’t reach easily.”At least, not without pain.
“Absolutely.” He agreed so quickly I almost giggled at his eagerness. It was so endearing. He motioned for the salve while his gaze darted over the large shirt I wore. His cheeks began to grow pink as he questioned, “Will that shirt work? I don’t know where all of the bruising is, but if you can’t reach it, I’m assuming...”
He had a point, but it was too good of an opening to resist.
“Why? Trying to get me naked?” I teased back, cutting off his rambling. His eyes flared with heat, but he didn’t respond, instead holding his hand out for the salve and smirking at me.
I handed him the container and stepped back out of his reach, turning to make my way toward the armoire.
I hadnoidea what type of clothes were in here. The only thing I had to go on was the note from Gabe saying that there would be some women’s clothing in it. When I opened it, I found that there was far more than just that. Instead, it seemed that the entire thing was stocked with women's and men’s clothing in various sizes, all neatly folded and seemingly unworn. My lips tugged into a smile with the realization that he had simply wanted me to wearhisshirt to bed last night. I smirked to myself. Sneaky little bastard.
I also couldn’t deny the sense of relief that filled my chest at what I found in the armoire. Until now, I hadn’t realized it had been nipping at my mind, but there was a part of me that had wonderedwhythey had women’s clothing in the house. Any insecurity on that end was resolved upon realizing it was just a well-stocked guest suite. I felt utterly ridiculous for the relief rolling through me. Here I was entertaining the thought of juggling feelings for multiple men and I didn’t even want clothes from a woman who might have previously been in their lives or living here.
Talk about a double standard, Kieran.
Grabbing a pair of athletic shorts and a tank top, I walked toward the bathroom and quickly changed. I slid on my bra from the day before, pulled the tank top over my head, and left Gabe’s oversized shirt on the counter for nighttime.
I examined the bruising I could see and decided to tuck the bottom of the tank underneath my bra. It was the only way that allowed for enough space to focus on the bruises on my torso and arms without shoving my tits in his face.
Despite doing my best to curb the sensuality of this moment by being slightly more covered than I could have been, Ronan’s gaze ate me up as if Iwasnaked.
“We should do my ribs first,” I suggested softly, blushing at his undivided attention on my body.
My words brought his gaze down to my ribs, and he hissed between clenched teeth, seeming to notice how bad it really was. His eyes darkened as he motioned me closer, passing the container back to me to hold. I swallowed nervously as he grabbed my hip in one hand, the other opening the container of salve. The Beast Tamer was clearly worked up, but I could tell he was doing his best to respect my wishes while helping me at the same time.
Considering how overbearing Ronan could be, the restraint was more than impressive. Seeing this tender and nurturing side of him was refreshing, and it proved to me just how much he’d grown up since the time we spent together at school. Back then, I was pretty sure his idea of flirting was picking on me and being an asshole while pushing me hard during training. Seeing all these facets and layers of him now was eye opening.
Without a word, and in gentle movements that were far softer than I assumed him possible, he meticulously applied the salve over each bruise on my torso, arms, and neck. The silence between us was comfortable and relaxed, despite his touch causing prickles of desire to roll over me. I didn’t doubt that my cheeks were flushed with color. If he noticed, he didn’t comment on it, his attentiveness to what he was doing being absolute.
“I think that’s all of them,” he eventually murmured, setting the salve to the side as he stood. “How do you feel?”
I focused on the injuries for a moment, considering the difference in the way my body felt before saying, “It feels almost cooling, which is soothing. I’m still a bit achy overall, but the acute pain is a lot less.”
I stretched again, this time with far less discomfort.
“I’ll feel a hell of a lot better when they’re completely gone,” he murmured, sliding his other hand up to my jaw and graspingit gently. His eyes bore into mine, “I’m serious about using iteveryday,twice a day?—”
“I know, I know,” I teased, lifting my hand to rest against his. “And if I don’t, you’ll just show up and do this again, I’m sure. In fact, you probably will anyway.”
He smirked and offered a shrug, “You’re right, I will. I’ll never say no to a reason to touch you, Beauty.”
“Justtouch me?” I asked brazenly, shocking myself with my words.
I ran my hands over his wide shoulders as his gaze darted down to my lips and he growled, “It's a damn good start.”
KIERAN
My heart thudded in my chest, so loud and erratically that I was sure Ronan could hear it.
“What about kissing me again?” I asked, unable to help myself. Especially with the strong desire the man inspired within me pairing with the overwhelming sense of gratitude I felt at having someone like him in my life.
“Kieran—”
His voice was pained, but the heat in his gaze had me surging forward to seal my lips against his. I paused for just a moment, hoping that I hadn’t overstepped. I hadn’t considered how he would feel about kissing me, considering the connection I had with Gabe.
Ronan’s hands tightened on my hip a second later, pulling me against him to deepen the teasing kiss and making my worries vanish. He took complete control as my nails dug into his shoulders. I loved the rumble of satisfaction that left his chest, vibrating it against my own and making my nipples harden. My toes curled at the sensation of rightness that stole over me. He was everything safe and secure that I’d always craved. Being in his arms not only felt right, but a possessive edge was beginning to come over me at the thought of losinghim and possibly having to see him with someone else in the Rebellion. I didn’t want to fuck up. I didn’t want to lose him.
