Page 57 of Beautifully Broken Control

I grinned. “You should only be so lucky.”

Cain guided the SUV out of the ranch and back towards town. Before long, we were pulling up to the back of the Kettle. As I lifted Chuck, I winced. “Uh, Cain?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you have any paper towels in your car?”

His brow furrowed. “I don’t think so, why?”

I pressed my lips together before answering. “My dog might’ve drooled a bit.”

Cain glanced down at the substantial puddle on the center console and let out a bark of laughter. “I think you need to get that dog some medical attention.”

I cuddled Chuck to my chest. “Don’t listen to him, baby. You’re perfectly fine.”

“Sure, he is.” Cain pushed his door open. “Come on, I’ll follow you up and steal a few paper towels from you.”

I opened my own door and got out with Chuck in tow. “I guess that’s the least I could do.”

We headed inside. Once I’d unlocked my door and keyed in the alarm code, Cain was already inside and studying my space. He’d been in here before, for hours, but he still seemed riveted. He pointed to my gratitude jars. “What are those?”

I nibbled on the corner of my lip. “Where I keep the things I’m grateful for.”

He gave me a gentle smile. “Do you ever read through them?”

I nodded. “If I’m having a bad day or just need a reminder of all the good there is in the world. I’ll take one off the shelf and pick out some papers at random.”

Cain edged closer to me, gaze searching my face. “Does it help?” He stopped just a breath away from me.

I licked my lips. “Always.”

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his hand stalling there, slipping to my neck. “I just might have to try that.”

“You should.” I didn’t breathe, couldn’t as his gaze zeroed in on my mouth.

Chuck let out a loud snore, and Cain dropped his hold on me as if he’d been burned. “I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later.”

He was gone before I had a second to process what had happened. And he hadn’t even gotten the towels he needed. That’s how eager he was to get away from me. It hurt in a way I hadn’t expected. I thought my brother’s disgust was the worst pain I’d feel. But I’d been wrong.

22

Cain

“How’s theliving in discomfort going?”

My hands tightened on the wheel as I heard the smile in Dr. Murphy’s voice. “Not fucking good.” I’d spent the day working on my new program for Halo and trying desperately to distract myself from the temptation that was Kennedy. It had been a failure. I’d made almost no progress, and all I seemed to be able to see were Kennedy’s lips.

I’d almost kissed her. I’d almost taken that mouth, consequences be damned. But she didn’t deserve the demons I wrestled with. She’d been through too much already.

“Talk to me.” The trace of humor had left Murphy’s voice.

I blew out a long breath as I rounded a curve in the road. “I almost kissed her today.”

“And that would be so bad, why?”

“You know why. I’ve wanted to swing by the Kettle at least ten times today to check on her. Just to make sure she was safe.”

“But did you?”

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