Page 112 of Contentious

“I’ll be nice.”

“Thank you.”

He lowered his voice so Anthony wouldn’t hear him. “It’s hot when you boss me around.”

“Seriously? That’s what you’re thinking about right now?”

“Mmm.” He kissed the back of her hand. “Very seriously. I’m looking forward to picking up where we left off before we were so rudely interrupted.”

“Honestly, Carson. Your priorities are whack.”

His lips found the inside of her wrist and sent a thrill of sensation shooting up her arm. “I think they’re in perfect order.”

“Stop.”

He glanced at her as he continued to rub his lips over her sensitive skin. “Why?”

“Because! You’re supposed to be focused on getting better.”

“This is making me feel much better.”

To her dismay, her eyes filled with tears as the shock and horror and emotional tumult of the past week caught up to her all at once in a mess of emotion, confusion and desire.

“Aw, honey. Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.”

Cresley brushed the tears away. “I’m sorry. I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine, and we’re going to talk about that as soon as possible.”

How was it fair that in addition to being kind, smart and handsome as all hell, he was also perceptive? Leave it to her to find the one perfect man who wanted nothing to do with forever or happily ever after.

When they arrived at the house, she helped him get settled on an upholstered chaise lounge in the living room.

His face was pinched with pain, and he’d broken out into a sweat again during the short walk from the driveway.

Cresley brought him a soft chenille blanket and offered him four ibuprofen tablets that he gratefully accepted. “Are you hungry?”

“A little.”

“I’ll make you a sandwich. Does that sound okay?”

“Cres…”

“Yes?”

He held out his hand. “Come sit with me.”

She took his hand and lowered herself to the edge of his chair, careful not to jostle him.

“I can’t bear to see you upset and trying so hard to hide it from me.”

“I’m okay if you are.”

Carson brushed a tear from her cheek. “Why the tears?”

“They won’t stop. Ty says I’m like a faucet.”

“Come here. Let me hold you.”