Page 40 of Reins

Mostly because I know that keeping her too close will blur the lines from what I should do to what I want to do.

I’m treading into dangerous ground by even entertaining the memory of holding her. But I also can’t see anyone else protecting her like I can.

Muffling my groan, I sit up and stretch my back.

This loveseat is about two feet too small for me. Never thought I was a tall guy until I tried to fold myself onto this thing.

I ain’t meant to bend that way.

When I stand, I glimpse the scattered photos on the table. I still need to go through them and see if I can find any proof that Eli fucked with it. Just because Ava was driving doesn’t get him off the hook.

It was my truck. She wasn’t even supposed to be there.

I try to be quiet when I use the bathroom, but habit has me flushing the toilet.

Damn it. Hope that didn’t wake Rosalyn.

This is all so surreal. The last person who ever slept in my bed besides me was Ava.

Now her sister is under my covers, in my fucking shirt.

And my morning hard-on isn’t going down.

Bastard. After stuffing myself into my jeans, I make a bee-line for the coffee pot.

All because I was having a bad dream. At least it wasn’t anything inappropriate.

It would have been worse if Ros had found me with my hand wrapping my dick and moaning her name while I chased visions of her naked body.

Well, that new thought isn’t helping the situation with my tight-ass zipper.

She’s too young and too vulnerable. I swore to protect her, even if that means from myself.

Strictly off limits.

“Morning.” Her voice is barely above a whisper as she cracks the door open.

When she slips into the bathroom, she’s still wearing my shirt over her pants.

If we can’t get her things, I’m taking her shopping. I’m not sure what it is, but seeing her in my clothes makes me feel more possessive than I should.

I’m all messed up today. Too much is happening all at once.

She reappears with her blonde hair pulled up into a tight braid.

“I got coffee going. Want some eggs? We can swing by the store and pick up some of your favorites today.” I give a half-smile then start cracking shells.

“I can…um…I’d like that.” Her lips thin. “It might take me a little while to get used to this.”

“What?” I ask innocently. “Not having to do everything?” I pause with the spatula in the air. “First, you’re my guest. Second? I live here too and even though I’m a little beat up—” I wave my fingers towards the scars on my cheek. “—doesn’t mean I’m broken. Yet.” I toss her a smile.

Her gaze fastens on my arm and her brows knot.

When I follow her line of sight and notice the puckered skin of old wounds, it makes my guts tighten.

I bet all she sees is the marks, like all the rest.

It was stupid of me to think I’d be the one needing to hold myself in check. For what? She’d never want anything to do with me like that.