Page 31 of North’s Claim

No touching. No pressing. Just heat.

She keeps her hands to herself. I keep my thoughts locked down tight. But every nerve I’ve got is alive and burning.

I close my eyes and swear to every god that’s ever existed. One day, when she’s ready…

I’ll have her moaning my name for real, and this time, I won’t be standing at the damn door watching.

“I—” she starts to say something.

“Shh.” I pull her closer without thinking. My body sighs when she settles against me, but I wince as her hand presses into my chest. My cut’s still on and of course she feels it.

She sits up suddenly, switches on the light. Her eyes go wide.

“What the hell happened?” she gasps, taking in the mess I am.

“Nothing for you to worry about,” I mutter.

She lowers her eyes. Just like that.

It’s been days since I’ve seen her do that. And fuck if it doesn’t slice me open. “Hey,” I breathe out, rubbing a hand down my face. “There was an accident. Nothing serious. I’m okay.”

She doesn’t speak. Just hops off the bed and helps me kick off my boots.

I sit up and she reaches for my cut.

“Careful,” I mutter.

“I know.” She folds it like it’s made of gold and places it on the armchair.

Next comes the T-shirt. I help her peel it off. When the bandage around my ribs is exposed, she visibly shakes.

I pull her in. “This happens sometimes. I’m fine, and I’m home.”

She blinks away tears, nods, and starts working on my jeans. Her fingers go for the buckle.

“I can handle it,” I say, voice a little too rough.

She raises an eyebrow, deadpan. “I won’t take advantage of you, big boy.”

A laugh bursts out of me before I can stop it, and fuck, that hurts. I help her with the rest, gritting my teeth. She doesn’t look until the very last second, and then her eyes stop on my bulge.

I clear my throat, breaking the spell. “Come back to bed. We both need sleep.” I switch off the light and lean down biting down a curse.

She hesitates, but when she moves closer, her hand brushes against my hard-on and my whole body locks up.

“You can do whatever you want,” I say, the words leaving my mouth before I can stop them. “But you don’t have to work.”

She holds her breath. “Why have you never touched me?” Her voice is so small I almost don’t catch it. But the question lands like a fucking brick to the chest. “It’s because of what I am, isn’t it?”

I try to move, but the pain lances through my side. Fuck. The painkillers haven’t kicked in yet. “Don’t say bullshit like that.”

She swallows. “Then why? Because I’m not slim?”

My head snaps toward her. “The fuck are you talking about?”

“I just thought maybe…”

“I like my women with curves,” I growl. “I want to suffocate when they ride my face.”