Page 90 of Aftersome
“I’ve been texting you,” he said on a grunt as he leaned back slowly. The sudden movement made it extremely difficult to keep my focus solely on his eyes and not drift down towardhis naked chest. Every curve and muscle was on display, but as much as I was tempted to get my fill of him, I couldn’t.
It didn’t feel appropriate given the circumstances of everything.
Despite the flutters and tumbles in my belly, I redirected my energy toward his wrapped-up shoulder and frowned.
“Are you okay?” I went to reach for him, but quickly pulled back my hands, fearing that I might further injure him.
The worry in my tone and the mistake of trying to grab him must have done a number on his ego because immediately, all the anger he had toward me completely vanished.
Just like that.
“Do I look okay?” he said through gritted teeth as his head fell back and his eyes slammed shut.
Okay, maybe he still was angry with me.
“Not really, no.” I shifted awkwardly on my feet. “How badly are you hurt?”
“Enough that I’ll be out for at least a month.”
Shit.
No wonder he was in a mood.
“Will you have to…” I began to say before Mal interrupted me.
“Don’t,” he growled as his eyes sought out mine. If I thought he looked broken before, he looked even more shattered now. “No more questions. No more talking about my shoulder or fucking hockey.” Grunting, he shifted himself to the side of the table, leaving more room on the other. “Sit,” he encouraged with the nod of his head, causing my heart to flip.
“What?”
I took a small step backward, eyeing him like he was crazy.
“Sit with me,” he demanded again. “Please.”
I knew after that there was no way I was going to get out of it. Not that I wanted to anyway, but I was hesitant.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you…”
“You won’t. I’d be more hurt if you didn’t.”
I sucked in a sharp breath, feeling its effects hit me hard. Statements like that, coming from Mal, should come with a warning. They were so powerful that I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his.
“Okay,” I responded with a breathy whisper that in no way sounded like me at all. As I climbed up, he lifted his arm into the air, and it immediately hit me what he wanted. He didn’t just want me to sit next to him, he wanted to put his arm around me and hold me.
Like last time.
“Mal…” I stopped halfway and glanced at his raised arm before looking back at him.
It was different being alone with him in my room, but here, anyone could walk in on us. Anyone could see us together like this, and the thought made my stomach turn.
“Don’t make me beg, Doe.” His voice was raw and unfiltered.
Low and demanding.
But while his words weren’t begging yet, his eyes were.
“Okay, just… tell me if or when you’re in pain. I don’t want to be the reason for any further injuries you have.”
I reluctantly climbed up the rest of the way onto the table before sliding in next to Mal. I made sure to keep a safe distance from him, but the second he lowered his arm onto my shoulders, I was yanked close to his side.
