Page 40 of Make You Mine

“Piper, I—” I began to protest, but she silenced me with a look.

“Sit down,” she said firmly. “You need to be taken care of.”

I hesitated for a moment before dropping onto the couch beside her. Piper's presence had a way of making me feel both vulnerable and safe at the same time. It was a strange duality. What was also strange was that I did what she said. No one told me what to do.

She grabbed the first aid kit and began to clean my wounds with a gentle yet determined touch. The antiseptic stung, making me wince, but she was quick and efficient, moving with a grace that belied the sternness in her voice from before.

Her focus was unwavering, her hands steady as she worked. I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for her assertiveness, for her willingness to step in and take control when I was too weary to do so myself. I was just going to go to bed and change the sheets if I got blood on them.

After wrapping the bandages around my hands and elbows, she leaned back and inspected her work. “There,” she said, a hint of satisfaction in her tone. “You’ll be right as rain. Pun intended.” Her laughing eyes met mine for a moment, and I smiled.

After she finished tidying up the first aid kit, I noticed her gaze lingering on me a bit longer than usual. Her eyes traveled from my elbow to my shoulders, and I could see a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. She quickly averted her gaze, but the moment didn’t escape me. It was a subtle sign that she found me attractive, and it made me feel—it exhilarated me, which also kind of freaked me out.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, pulling the towel tighter around myself. Piper’s eyes flicked back to me, and for a fraction of a second, I saw a mix of embarrassment and something else—something that made my pulse quicken.

Was this a sign that she maybe wanted more with me? More than just friendship and a few fake dates?

She cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. “Ummm, so, yeah. Just keep the wounds clean, you know what to do.”

“I do. So, listen. I need to tell you something before you go. I ran into your ex today. Lucy was there too, and her llama, which is weird, but okay.”

“Yeah, I had a run-in with Dana recently, too. I suspect they might be planning to steal my bakery out from under me.” She shook her head; it seemed like she was resigned to the fact that they would keep messing with her, and—no, not under my watch.

I was immediately incensed, angrier than I was after my encounter with Richard before. “I do not like him,” I all but growled. “He’s too free about running his fucking mouth about you. We need to be seen together. Tonight.”

“What?” Her eyebrows shot to her hairline. Clearly, she was not used to someone who was ready to throw down for her.

“What’s his favorite place in town?” I demanded.

“The Pennywhistle,” she answered breathlessly, with her eyes big. “He’s addicted to their burgers.”

“Good. That’sourplace now. Go home. Put on something pretty. I’m taking you to dinner. I’ll pick you up in ten minutes.”

“Um.” She shrugged lightly, “If you want pretty, I’ll need at least twenty.”

I allowed myself another good look at her, sitting prim and proper on my couch, wearing another sexy as fuck caftan—this one in a red silky material that I wanted to feel against my skin. My skin, which I was becoming increasingly aware of, was mostly exposed.

“We can leave right now for pretty, golden girl. But I doubt you want to go out wearing that caftan.”

“Oh.” She turned bright red. “Right.”

I watched her, taking in every detail—the curve of her neck, the way her hair fell softly around her shoulders. The light in her eyes that seemed to dance with every thought and emotion.

I wanted to be near her.

My pulse quickened, and my heart raced with feelings I hadn’t experienced in far too many years to count.

She had taken care of me—insisted on it.

Didn’t listen to my bullshit and bandaged me up. So, I was sure as fuck going to protect her from that motherfucker spreading bullshit about her around town.

“I’ll see you in twenty minutes. Okay?” I said softly.

“Okay,” she murmured.

Chapter12

Piper

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