Page 71 of Liar Byrd
This man is too observant by far. “It’s okay.”
“Can I see?”
I hesitate.
“This is about making sure you’re okay. That’s all this is,” he reassures me. “Please let me help you.”
Still reluctant, but seeing his determination, I nod.
He releases me, and I turn, lifting the back of my shirt for him.
His rage crackles over my bare skin, and I jump, startled when calloused fingers caress my back. Despite the anger I sense pouring out of him, his touch is so light I want to cry at how gentle he is with me. “How?”
I gulp. “Before Makhi came, he… h-he shoved me against the wall and yanked at my clothes. And… well, you can probably guess what he was trying to do.”
“I killed him too fast.” Vonn’s voice vibrates with fury. Wood scrapes along the floorboard, and before I can turn, Vonn softly orders, “Don’t move.”
I stand beside the kitchen table, holding my shirt as I wait for him to come back from wherever he decided he needed to go.
He’s back less than a minute later.
An unfamiliar spicy, potent smell invades my nose as he sinks into the seat behind me, his muscled thigh making me shiver when he brushes against my hip.
“Tiger balm,” he says gruffly. “It’ll help to heal faster and stop any pain.”
I swallow a moan as his strong hands massage my aches away.
My eyes flutter closed, and I relax, leaning into his touch. He’s quiet, his strong fingers digging into my back, seeking out each sore spot and easing it away.
A moan slips out.
“Feel good?” his voice is gruff.
“Yeah,” I moan.
He continues. His breathing grows louder as I sag against him.
His hands slide down my side, loosely clasping my hips and holding me—my back to his chest.
I’m sitting in his lap, his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. His breath is warm on the back of my neck, and I feel…
My eyes snap open as the silence becomes charged.
Tense, I turn my head to the side, meeting his hooded gaze.
“That doesn’t mean anything has to happen,” he says quietly.
He knows I feel his erection.
I gulp.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of, okay?” he reassures me. “I’m just a man who would never hurt you, wanting you something fierce, that’s all.”
“Okay.”
The corners of his eyes pull into a smile, and he presses an achingly sweet kiss on my forehead. “Let’s get you to bed so I can do something about this.”
I shouldn’t ask.
