Shaw sighed and looked over at Arabella. “These two like to stick together. Give me a signal and I’ll rescue you.”
“What? Like, help? Rescue me!” she cried.
“Not much of a safeword, but I guess it works.” Shaw winked at her.
To Eli’s surprise, her cheeks turned red. Hmm. Was it the mention of a safeword?
Or Shaw winking at her? Was she attracted to Shaw? Was he interested in her?
Eli knew that he should be happy if Shaw felt that way about Arabella. It would give him something to focus on. Someone to think about and devote himself to.
But all he felt was a raging jealousy.
“Don’t worry, though,” Shaw said. “The campylobacter story is preferable to the real story of what happened to me.”
Arabella grimaced. “Ouch. What really happened was worse than eating something infected with feces and then spending a safari pooping into a hole in the ground?”
“Hmm. Well, when you put it like that I’m not so sure,” Shaw replied.
“I thought she would understand that I was joking. And, well, you were looking so uncomfortable that I just wanted to turn her attention away from you.”
“I know that, darlin’. And I appreciate it. Leave the story. It’s fine.”
“I feel terrible, though.”
Eli didn’t like the anxiety he could feel coming off her. Was she really that worried about trying to help Shaw by making up a crazy story?
“Look at me,” he said firmly.
She jolted and turned to look at him. But her gaze was only on his chin.
“Eyes on mine,” he ordered.
She sighed, but raised her eyes to his.
“Good girl.”
Her eyes widened as she stared up at him. “W-what?” she asked quietly.
“He called you a good girl,” Kellan told her. “Because you did as you were told. After a second prompt. Although Eli should have been more specific in his instructions the first time.”
Eli shot him a look, but didn’t say anything.
Because he kind of had a point.
“I’m not a good girl. You shouldn’t call me that,” she whispered.
Eli caught her chin in his hand. “You don’t think so?”
She shook her head.
“No? Are you naughty then?” Shaw asked, sounding amused.
Eli moved his gaze to his younger brother. Shit. He had almost forgotten that he was there.
She attempted to pull away. But he held onto her a moment longer.
“Listen. You don’t need to worry about what you said. Shaw isn’t upset. If he was, he would tell you.”
