“No. I’m okay.” She drops the ice pack onto the table and folds her hands in her lap. “I’d just like to forget about what happened.” Her fingers twitch a little, then one hand lifts and finds a home on my knee.
“Maeve.” I place my hand over hers, squeezing her fingers. They feel so small beneath my palm. “I can stay here and sleep on the couch so you feel safe.”
I cringe. Sleep on the couch? What the hell am I doing? I can tell myself this is all part of my seduction plan, but I know the truth.
I care about her feelings. Even though I shouldn’t. The two of us have no future.
But here and now, none of that matters. All that does is ensuring Maeve’s okay. Once she recovers a little, we can return to business as usual.
Determination steels her expression. “No.”
My heart sinks. “Should I leave?”
Reluctantly, I start to rise.
She snags my sleeve and pushes me back down. “No! Please stay. I meant I don’t want you to sleep on the couch.”
My pulse accelerates. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
I barely dare to breathe as I wait for her reply while brushing my thumb over her palm. “Or, if you’d prefer to erase that bastard from your memory, I can help you do that too.”
Her chest rises and falls. “I want you to stay…in my bed and erase the feel of that bastard’s hands from my memory.”
I catch both of her hands in mine and study her face for even the faintest hint of uncertainty. “I would like nothing better, but only if you’re absolutely sure.”
“I am.”
She answers without hesitation, strength in her posture and fire in her eyes.
Slowly, so as not to startle her, I press a tender kiss to her cheekbone. Her temple. The corner of her mouth.
Maeve accepts none of my caution. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she pulls me on top of her on the couch. Sheforcefully molds her mouth to mine and shoves her tongue inside.
I follow her lead, groaning as I toss my reservations aside and meet her thrust for thrust.
Chapter 20
Maeve
As soon as Kellin touches me, my residual horror from the attack disappears. My world narrows to him. His scent, his hands, his lips. The way he ignites my body with a single touch.
In that stairwell, for the space of a few heartbeats, the cold fury and murder in Kellin’s eyes evoked shivers. I remembered how Kellin handled the drunk in the bar. Shout in my office.
Cool. Calm.
Dangerous.
Tonight, that danger broke through the surface. But, unlike with my father, his anger was on my behalf. He protected me.
I can’t lie…all that icy fury thrills me a little.
He risked his own life for my safety.
This man isn’t just another pretty face with bags full of money.
He’s so much more. But I lack the words to express my feelings.
So I show him instead.
