“I’m not hurting you, am I?” Like a flip of a switch, she’s back to drowning me in her concern.
My body could be screaming in pain, and it wouldn’t be enough to put an end to what is happening here. I feel like I’m caught in a dream, and none of this is real.
“Don’t think about moving.” Rasping out the words, my hand finds her outer hip. Giving it a squeeze, a groan catches in the back of my throat as she slides closer.
Not from pain. Anything but.
My body betrays me, the friction making the hints of my arousal impossible to ignore. Can she feel my cock firming against my thigh, or is she being kind for not pointing it out?
Either way, she’s not trying to move away, and that’s what matters.
While the radio warns us about the flooded streets and warns us to stay inside, I can feel her body stiffening.
Kelsie is nervous. I can feel it in the way she’s reacting against me. Jerking with the thunder, her breath catches with each jolt, revealing her current state.
It’s so strange seeing her this way, and I can’t help but feel special for getting the chance to see a side of her like this.
Without thinking, I begin to stroke her back along the length of her spine. In hopes of helping calm her, I cradle her closer to me.
“Sorry, I’m not usually this bad, I swear.” She forces a laugh as her body relaxes against mine. Each stroke of my fingers brings her closer and closer to turning into pudding.
“I have rough times as well, this is nothing.” Just as the words leave my lips, thunder shakes the building. “You might have a hard time believing this, but having you with me is saving me from my own breaking down.”
Tilting her chin, her face is so close to mine. She blinks, curious. “Really? You always seem so calm and composed. I have a hard time believing it.”
Mouth twitching, I chuckle. “Most of us look okay on the outside. The inside, however… there’s a lot of damage. For me, the damage isn’t easy to hide in or out.”
Her eyes lower, and she lifts her hand, her fingers lightly grazing a scar on my chest. “Your limp.”
She says it as a statement, not a question. Of course not. I’ve never tried to hide it.
“Want to tell me about it? I’ve heard all kinds of stories from these guys every week, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk about your own injuries.” Her brows come together as she tries to recall the weeks of conversations we’ve had together. “It’ll help pass the time.”
With the way she’s looking up at me now, there’s no way I can’t talk about it. Even if I’m not fond of the memory, there’s no chance I’m going to turn down her curiosity.
5
Kelsie
I know I asked him about his past, and I do want to know things about him that other people don’t. Trust me, I’m banking on this whole shared experience with him from start to finish.
But when I’m this close to him and his mouth is right there, can I be blamed for watching him talk more than listening?
“Took a bullet while we were running for the hills. Doesn’t take a spot on the best moments of my life.” He snorts, and his thumb tickles my spine. “No one wants to talk about running away, it’s shameful.”
“I don’t think you’re shameful.” Muttering the words, the hairs on my skin stand as he lowers his gaze to take me in.
He’s got this softness to his gaze I never noticed before. Then again, I’ve never been this close to him before.
When his mouth begins to curve, I’m in awe.
However, I don’t get to enjoy the view for long. Not when the song currently playing on the radio is interrupted by an alarmingnoise, and alerts to announce a tornado warning for our county. It could be on the mountain or the outskirts of the town. Or, it could be right next door.
Stiffening up against his frame, I hardly acknowledge the way his hold on me tightens as we both listen to the alert.
As much as I enjoy the Hollow Oak, I don’t think it can survive a tornado. Am I really going to die where I work? My heart begins to pound at the thought of the future, and my breathing quickens.
“Hey,” he starts up, his voice soft. “Kelsie.”
