Knox stops me with a hand on my arm. I try to brush him off, but he grabs my wrist and holds my hand up for inspection. When he sees the tremble, he shows Griffin. They make eye contact and exchange a brief nod. The two of them spring into action, and before I know what’s happening, Knox scoops me up in his arms and carries me to the couch. Griffin heads into my kitchen, and I hear him opening and closing cabinets.
“I can walk. I don’t need to be carried.”
“But I’m just so good at it,” Knox quips.
“You’re impossible,” I sigh out.
Knox flops down on the couch with me still in his arms, settling me in his lap. I try to swing my legs off so I can sit on thecushion next to him, but Knox’s reflexes are quick. He wraps his hand around my thighs and stops me from scooting away.
“I can sit by myself.”
“But I make a better seat,” he says simply as if he’s stating a fact.
“Got it,” Griffin announces as he walks into the living room. He carries a shot glass filled to the brim.
“Is that my Don Julio? Are we turning this into a party or something?” I give him a skeptical look.
Griffin hands me the small glass. “Bottoms up, Sunshine.”
When I still don’t drink it, Knox explains, “For the nerves, Darlin’.”
“Oh. Right.” I down the shot, ignoring the sting of the alcohol as it connects with my bleeding lip, and give the glass back to Griffin. He places it on the coffee table, then sits on the edge. He hands a damp cloth to Knox, and he uses it to dab at the blood on my mouth.
“Who were you on a date with?” Griffin questions.
Knox rears his head back. “You were on a date?”
Well, this just became even more awkward than I thought possible. Kissed one brother, then the other, and went on a date with someone else. I’m not ashamed, but having to talk about it with my bosses, aka the two brothers I kissed who are also my neighbors, is beyond weird.
“Just a friend,” I finally answer.
“And you had to shout ‘I said, no’ at him? What did he do?” Griffin’s expression is serious.
“Give us a name,” Knox growls. “All we need is a name.”
Placing my hand on Knox’s chest, I feel the thundering of his heartbeat. “Look, I’m fine. I handled it. He got a knee to the balls. I’m sure the ride home on his motorcycle was more than painful.”
Griffin grasps my free hand in his. “Proud of you.”
“Thanks. But again, I’m fine. He’s the one who was limping away.”
Knox’s touch is soft as he grasps my chin like he did earlier, tapping my lip again. “But he drew blood, he touched you when you said no repeatedly. That’s not okay.”
“Well, he might’ve lost a testicle, so all is right with the world. Besides, he didn’t do anything that…” I stop myself from finishing that thought.
“Anything that what?” Griffin repeats, searching for the end of my statement.
I clear my throat and swallow, but keep my mouth shut tight.
“Anything that what, Raven?” Griffin questions again. He pushes closer, invading my space. But the move isn’t to intimidate, it’s to provide comfort. To me.
“Anything that hasn’t happened before,” I finish.
Knox’s mouth pinches shut, and Griffin’s nostrils flare.
“I’ve dealt with men like this my entire life. The first man to…” I stop myself again. Dammit. It’s like my filter just flies out the window around these two.
“Let’s start with the man from tonight. Just tell us his name. Please,” Knox implores.
