Page 65 of Reins

His brow furrows, then he looks around the room dramatically before settling back down. “Show me the gas cans you used? The lighter? How is this your fault?”

“Eli demanded to know who I was with,” I stammer, staring at my thumbs that war with each other on my lap. “I couldn’t help it. I told him it was you.”

Cade’s mahogany irises shrink as he focuses on me.

“Fuck, Ros.” He reaches up and tugs on my shoulders, pulling me down gently to hold me against his chest. “It wasn’t you.” His hot breath ruffles my hair as his other arm wraps me. “It wasn’t you,” he repeats, choking on the words.

I’m supposed to be comforting him but I think it’s working both ways.

Pinned in his grip, the guilt melts out of me with the press of his hot skin. A new pang of shame writhes through me.

This shouldn’t feel so good.

My mother would be furious if she knew I liked being held by him.

But the strength in his arms, the heat from his body, it works into me to create a steaming ember deep inside of my belly.

Why is there a longing within me to touch more?

“You know I’m going to kill him.” Cade’s tone is flat even as his burning palms work up and down my back.

“I know.” My cheek presses the soft spot just under the jut of his collarbone where I can watch his Adam’s apple move as he talks.

An insane part of me wants to reach up and stroke it.

“Would you hate me if I did?” His touch pauses over my shoulders and his chin drops for him to look down at me.

His lips nearly brush my nose. Just the proximity makes my pulse hammer a rapid staccato.

“No.” Am I trading my own family for Cade’s peace?

I think so.

He drops his head back down to the pillow, resuming his slow strokes over my ribs.

I’m tempted to stretch like a cat into his hands.

“If you weren’t here, I’d go right now.” His words are more a vibration against my jaw than a sound in my ears.

I like how it feels.

Is this what it’s like to be with someone you care about?

“If it was them, they’re gone,” I sigh, making the short hairs tickle my nose. “They leave every now and then for a couple of weeks at a time.” I don’t want to, but push myself up. “I wonder if it would match some of those awful things you said happened?”

“Fuck,” he groans, covering his eyes again. “Do you know where they go?”

With a frown, I shake my head. “I think once was Wyoming. Another time they spent a few weeks in Texas.” My lips purse and I find a spot on the wall to fixate on. “Definitely Mexico a few times.”

“Damn it.” Both of his hands come up to rub over his face.

Shit. I’m disappointing him. I just want him to touch me again.

“Maybe we’ll end up in Paradise sooner than I expected.” He lets out a long breath. “My brothers think I had something to do with all the crap that happened. Mom was going to talk to Mason in the morning.” He winces as if he’s been stabbed, making me push up quickly.

“Did I hurt you?” I know some of my own scars can be sensitive. Did I pinch him somehow?

“What? God no. That was—” He swallows hard. “—nice,” he says hoarsely. “I just realized if they thought I did the other garbage, they might think I started the fire too.”