Page 16 of Unexpected Heroine

Before the moment can recede, I embrace the comfort of teasing him. Of being myself. I need it. So I know I haven’t disappeared entirely.

I turn all the way around, moving close to him. Damn. I just want to feel him hold me some more. I want to pretend it never happened. Embrace my inner delulu—my delusional side.

When he realizes I’m amused and not offended or upset, he faintly caresses my upper arms.

I purse my lips and arch a brow. “Are you sure? Because that’s what you sound like when you’re trying to be all sexy.”

He holds back the grin that threatens to lift the corners of his mouth. It’s almost as if he’s afraid to smile. Maybe he thinks it’s not the time to be happy.

On the contrary, it’s the perfect time.

He saved me.

Same as he’s done since the day we met.

What’s not to be happy about?

“Cut me some slack, sugar. I might be awkward as fuck, but I still know this isn’t the time for anything like that.”

Teasing him a little, I concede. “I know, but I heard what I heard.” I tip my head to the side, letting a sleepy smile dance across my face. “Perhaps it wasn’t intentional. Maybe it’s because you were taking care of me, and I was letting you. I know you’ve always loved that. So your Dom voice came out naturally.”

His gaze pours over me, comfort and compassion warming my damp skin. “I do love taking care of you.” He shakes his head, lips pressed in a white line. “But not like this. I’m so fucking sorry this happened.”

The tight set of his eyes and his wrinkled brow match his words. Seeing the anguish marring his handsome face weighs me down with despair like an elephant has climbed on my shoulders.

I have to comfort him. It’s a physical need.

Running my palms up his chest, I wordlessly beckon his haunted eyes to meet mine. “It’s okay, babe. We’re going to be okay. I know you’re going to take care of me. And this time, I’ll let you.”

Bending down, he lowers his forehead to lean against mine. “I will take care of you.”

“I know.” My vision becomes cloudy with more flipping tears, so I lean into his embrace and hold my cheek to his chest. “You always have.”

“And I always will.”

Chapter 4

Tools of the trade

TOMER

She brushed her teeth for no less than seven minutes. That’s not an exaggeration. I checked the time after a while.

I dabbed some antibiotic ointment on her cuts and burns, applying a few bandages. Doesn’t look like she needs stitches, which is a relief. She declined the wrap around her ribs, and I can’t blame her for not wanting anything to touch her there.

After that, she let me cover her bruised and battered body with one of my T-shirts. She wanted to wear mine instead of her own pajamas from her drawer. She’s never done that before, always opting to wear her cute little matching sleepwear sets, most of which are in varying shades of purple.

While I make her a grilled cheese, she sits on the counter about a foot away. She started out at the kitchen table, sipping her water and watching me prep her sandwich. I suspect it was too far away. By the time the buttered bread was in the pan, she’d already eased over and asked me to help her up onto the counter.

Normally, she’d hop up herself, but she’s dog-ass tired. And hurt.

My sweet girl.

Mind racing, I stare at the pan without really seeing it. Horrible images fill my head instead.

Lettie in that house. For three damn days.

Those men around her and the other girls.

---