She paused and stared at me. Her light-green eyes filled with hesitation. “Okay,” she mumbled.
Once it was decided, I made my way to the kitchen in the resort. I grabbed my phone to text Asher.
Me:I took Mags back to the resort. She’s in her room.
I slid my phone back in my pocket and scooped up some ice in a big cup before I went to her room. My phone vibrated as I stood in the hall outside her door.
Asher’s name flashed on the screen.
“Yeah?” I answered.
“Is Mags’ okay?” Faith’s voice was filled with concern.
I shook the ice in the cup. “Yeah, she will be. It’s a miracle she didn’t need stitches. She’s got a deep gash down her lip to her chin though. I’m bringing her ice now.”
A breath of relief left her. “Thank goodness. Declan’s on his way back now. Poor thing feels awful.”
I clenched my jaw. “Should feel awful.”
“Luca, do me a favor?”
I stayed silent.
“Don’t fuck with her. She’s been burned twice by you already. Third time isnotthe charm here. Unless you can pull your head out of your ass, don’t get close to her.”
I blew out a steady stream of air. “Yeah, I got you. Talk to you later.” I ended the call in a huff and knocked on the door. My cousin didn’t need to be sticking her nose into my shit. I wasn’t stupid. I wouldn’t get close to her.
Mags opened the door a few seconds later. She had changed out of the sportswear and had on a big t-shirt that hung off her. I could barely tell she was wearing shorts. Her hair was twisted up in a mess on top of her head, and she no longer had the bloody paper towel from the bathroom.
I gulped. Maybe Faith’s words were warranted after all. “It stopped bleeding?”
She nodded and opened the door wider for me to come in. I stepped into the room, and she closed the door. “Finally. It looks awful though.” She pouted, and the gash on her lip stretched open. She winced, hovering her hand over it. “Ow.”
My chest twinged as I saw her in pain. “Did you take pain medication?” I walked over to the sink that was on the opposite side of the room and opened a drawer. There were bright white hand towels folded neatly within.
I grabbed one and poured some ice into the rag and folded it.
She stood behind me. “Yeah. I took two. It hasn’t kicked in though.”
I turned and handed her the make-shift ice pack. She reached out and grabbed it, her hand brushing against mine. It sent tingles up my arm, and I pulled back like I’d been shocked.
Her brows bumped together in confusion. “You’ve touched me before you know.”
My dick twitched in response. Fuck, I knew that. I remembered every time I had touched her. I’ve replayed it so many times in my head. “Your hand is cold,” I lied.
She pressed her lips into a thin line and studied me for a moment before nodding. “Mhm. Okay.” She held the ice up against her lip. The bruising around the gash was getting worse.
My hand moved on its own accord, reaching up and cupping the side of her face. She let the ice pack drop from her face as I caressed the bruised skin with my thumb. It was hot to the touch from the increased blood flow to the injury. In the ER, I’d handled some pretty gruesome shit, but I’d never reacted the way I had from Mags getting hurt. I was worried about her feeling pain. What kind of shit was that?
Her eyes were curious as she watched me. Her chest moved up and down at a steady rhythm like she was controlling her breaths. Her hand rested on mine, and her eyes fluttered shut. She melted in my palm and pride swelled in my chest. Magnolia was feisty and independent. The way she reacted to my touch was like a lion submitting. It had been like that every time we’d touch, and I was addicted to it. But much like a hard drug, I couldn’t indulge or I’d become intoxicated by her.
I couldn’t become addicted to her. It’d be detrimental to us both. I was toxic, and she deserved better.
She let out a small sigh as I pulled my hand away. We were still in close proximity. All I’d had to do is wrap my arms around her and she’d be against my chest. At that moment, the noise from the door being unlocked by a key card made me step back a couple of steps.
I leaned against the sink as Declan opened the door. He hesitated when he noticed me. I gave him a nod, and he rushed to Mags’ side. Bile crawled up my throat watching him rush to her side.
“Flower, I’m so sorry.” He cupped her face, and she flinched back, swatting his hands off her. I could see the pain from his touch go right through her, and I clenched my fists at my sides.
