“I said I can?—”
“Tamsin,” I interrupted gently, meeting her gaze. “Let someone take care of you for once.”
Something in my tone must have reached her, because she huffed and finally nodded.
“Fine,” she muttered, but it was full of reluctance.
I smiled despite myself.
As I filled the basin with water, the door opened again.
Nox entered first, silent as ever, his eyes already on Tamsin. His expression flickered with relief, quick and contained, before hardening into irritation.
“Located her then?” he said flatly.
“Yes,” Griff replied. “Eventually. I followed her scent and found her like this…”
Bishop followed close behind, posture stiff with concern, his gaze flicking immediately to her bare legs, then snapping up to her face with deliberate restraint.
“You ran off,” he said, not unkindly, but not too pleased either.
Eamon came in last, his expression somewhere between professional calm and personal worry. “You were supposed to be resting.”
Tamsin crossed her arms beneath the coat, chin lifting. “For the last time, I’m fine!”
Four pairs of eyes narrowed on her.
I bit back a smile.
Griff folded his arms, leaning back against the wall. “Don’t worry, boys. I already addressed her naughtiness.”
Nox’s brow lifted, curiosity brimming in his eyes. “Did you?”
“Oh, yes,” Griff said dryly. “Verythoroughly.”
I noticed then that Griff’s coat had ridden up a bit, exposing her bare ass. She moved to cover herself and that’s when I noticed that it was just the slightest bit pink.
Griff hadspankedher.
Hot.
Nox’s mouth curved into a slow grin. Bishop’s lips twitched into the barest ghost of a smile. Even Eamon looked faintly amused as he shook his head.
“Good,” Nox said. “She needs to know there’s consequences.”
Tamsin’s face went crimson.
“I hate all of you,” she muttered.
Griff snorted. “No, you don’t.”
I set the basin down and moved closer again, kneeling in front of her. I dipped the towel into the water and wrung it out, then lifted her foot gently into my hands.
She stiffened, then relaxed despite herself.
“Easy,” I murmured. “I’ve got you.”
As I cleaned the mud and dirt from her skin, my thoughts drifted back through years of careful hiding and calculated restraint, completely unbidden.
