I look over at Oz and see the same rage I’m feeling reflected back at me. We make a decision then and there. A silent promise between us to make her father pay.
Adrenaline buzzes through my veins. I am full of violence right now, but I force myself to be gentle as I cup Freya’s cheek and turn her face to look at me. I run my thumb along her cheek bone and her eyes open.
“I was wrong before,” I say. “You’re not a fighter. You’re awarrior.”
A tear runs down Freya’s cheek and this time I don’t resist the urge to kiss it away. My lips press against her soft skin and any doubts I had about how I felt for her burn out. I don’t care that it’s fast. I don’t care that she lied. I don’t care about River’s rules.
Freya is mine. And I will never let anyone hurt her ever again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Freya
I’VE GOT HALF an eye on the door, ready for River to come knocking again but the key is still tucked away in Jude’s pocket.
Oz’s touch is firm but gentle against my skin. The road rash burns as he cleans it, but then I become fully distracted by his other hand. The one holding my waist, keeping me steady as he works.
Tingles run down from the pads of his fingers straight to my core and Jude’s heated gaze isn’t exactly helping. I’m holding my top up so my breasts are covered but, with the way my nipples pebble under the thin cotton, I may as well be naked.
Once he’s finished cleaning my wounds, Oz presses two squares of gauze to my side and gets Jude to hold them in place while he winds a fresh bandage around my stomach. He nears the top and the back of his hand brushes against the underside of my breast.
My core spasms and I squeeze my legs together.
The smirk that appears on Jude’s lips should be embarrassing but all I can think about is how much I want to kiss that smug look right off his cute face.
“I’m going to need you to lift your top up a bit, Freya,” Oz says.
I do as I’m told, pulling the fabric up higher until it only just covers my nipples.
Oz reaches round to loop the bandage past my back, the move bringing his face centimeters from mine. His eyes are sharp as they focus on the job at hand. A small frown line pinches the bridge of his nose, and a slight ginger scruff covers his jaw. He looks different without his glasses on. I like the nerdy look they give him, but this version of Oz is good too, less guarded somehow.
“All done.” Oz secures the wrapping with a safety pin and takes my shirt from me, pulling it back down.
I thought I would be glad to be covered up again but the second his hands are gone I miss his touch.
Oz turns to pack away his stuff.
Jude rubs my knee and guilt pricks at me for fantasizing about his teammate when Jude and I are... well I don’t know what we are.
“You did good, Angel,” he says.
I soften. “Oh yeah? What’s my reward?”
Jude grins. “Lie back and you’ll find out. I think Oz missed a couple of places in his inspection.”
I laugh. I’d only been teasing before but I find myself leaning back onto the soft bed.
Jude presses up over me and takes my mouth. I open for him, moaning as his tongue tangles with mine. The low hum that spread through my body while Oz was working ignites but when Jude’s fingers trail down to my core, I put my hand to his chest to stop him. I look over at Oz as he snaps the first aid kit closed and stands up.
Jude follows my gaze before turning back to me. “He’ll leave if you want.”
Oz grunts. “Debatable.”
I blink. “You want to stay?” I ask.
Oz takes us in from under hooded eyes. “Aye.”
The accent catches me off guard and Jude must read the heated surprise on my face.
