Page 10 of Make Me Trust Again
She grinds her teeth, and I wonder if she’s contemplating strangling me for a moment.
“No,” she bites out. “But?—”
“Do you want to learn?”
The words are out before I can think better of them, and I’m not sure who’s more surprised by them, her or me.
Rose sucks in a breath, her arms falling by her sides as she shifts, her gaze not once leaving mine.
The air between us sizzles with something I can’t quite define. However, before I can think too much about it, Shadowjoins us, her body brushing against Rose’s. Startled, she jumps a little when she sees the dog standing next to her.
I expect her to protest and ask me to call her off, but instead, her fingers flex, once, twice, before she tentatively places her hand on the dog’s head and gives her a scratch behind her ears. Those slender fingers run through the fur, and Shadow lets out an appreciative sound as she tilts her head more into her touch.
The corner of Rose’s mouth lifts in a tentative smile, her gaze lifting to mine. “I—Yes.”
I am so lost in watching her that it takes me a moment to register her words.
Changing the tire, right.
“You’ll need these.” I point out the lug wrench and jack.
With one final scratch, she pulls her hand back and moves closer. I hold my breath until she comes to a stop next to me.
“Okay, and what then?”
Clearing my throat, I focus on changing the tire. I walk her through the steps, showing her how to loosen the nuts and take off the tire before placing the new one. I double-check that all the nuts are screwed in firmly before pushing to my feet. My fingers curl around the lug wrench tightly as I fight that familiar jab of pain going through my leg.
“Make sure to go to Darrow’s to get a new tire. This is just a temp one; you shouldn’t be driving on it long or fast.”
“I’ll do that.” Rose nods, a smile curling her mouth. “Thank you so much for your help. It’s been a shitty day and… Thank you.”
There is a weird pressure in my chest as I stare at her, the seconds ticking by in silence. Although she was smiling, the feeling didn’t reach her eyes; she just looked tired. My fingers itch to reach for her and offer her some kind of comfort.
What the hell do you know about comfort, Lieutenant?
Nothing.
Abso-fucking-lutely nothing.
Shaking my head at my own stupidity, I bend down to grab the busted tire and take it to the trunk. I reach out to close it, when Rose does the same.
Our fingers collide, a zap of electricity snaps between us at the touch.
I glance down, her wide eyes meeting mine. Her lips are slightly parted, her cheeks rosy. My heart hammers inside my chest wildly as I just stare at her—the way her teeth graze over her lower lip before they sink into it, nibbling at the soft flesh. My fingers itch, for what exactly, I have no idea, but just then, a speeding car passes by us.
Rose jumps back, breaking the contact. “Shit,sorry.”
“You should get off the road,” I mutter, quickly closing her trunk.
“I—” Her tongue darts out to slide over her lower lip. “Thanks again.”
I nod silently, waiting, neither of us moving a muscle.
“Get in the truck, Rose,” I grumble, my voice coming out gruff.
“Right.” Those slender fingers are trembling when she runs them through her hair and repeats. “Right.”
She turns around and walks away. I wait until she’s seated inside before tapping the side of my leg. Shadow joins me immediately, and we get into my truck.
