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I pointed a finger at him. “Yeah, we won’t be doing that, either.”
It was time to put a little space between us. Things had become too intense.
“Now off.” Since he had my wrists nailed to the bed, I had to nudge him with my hips.
Bad choice.
Because God, it felt so nice.
A moan got free, and Ezra was looking like he’d just won first-place prize for the best cherry pie.
“I hate you,” I mumbled when he finally let me loose, the man chuckling low and sending vibrations across my flesh.
I sat up and started to scoot off the bed.
He ran a single finger down the back of my neck before I could make it all the way off.
Shivers raced.
“No, you don’t,” he murmured.
Oh, how much I wished I did because what I was feeling in its place was too much.
Too overwhelming.
I hopped off his ridiculous bed that was as big as the man, but I guessed it was required to support a mountain like that.
I felt him shift and start to follow. I whirled around and pointed again. “Don’t you dare get up.”
He’d already made it to sitting up, the man so gorgeous, wearing nothing but his briefs.
Mounds of bristling muscle and a mile of golden flesh.
“And here I thought I was supposed to be the overbearing one?” He arched a brow.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Someone has to take care of you.”
Damn it.
It was me.
It was me who had to take care of him.
I wasn’t sure I had another choice. No chance of walking away.
“I have to pee and I have a little issue to take care of since you refused to do the honors.” He gestured at his hard-on with that freaking smug grin plastered on his face.
My belly tumbled.
“And here I thought you were supposed to be the respectful and sweet one,” I told him.
“Pretty sure you discovered that is not the case last night.”
Heat flamed.
Oh, how much I’d liked it that he hadn’t been polite.
“Fine. Go to the bathroom and then get right back in bed.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I sent him a glare. “Don’t ma’am me.”
Chuckling, he stood. I watched him carefully. He didn’t wince or recoil, and I was halfway satisfied that he wasn’t going to crumble into a broken pile when he strode into the bathroom without lumbering or limping.
I had to fully ignore him since he didn’t shut the door, and I rushed to where I’d left my phone charging on the television console across from his bed.
It was only fifteen minutes until I was due for my shift, and I felt bad for just calling now, but it hadn’t even crossed my mind when I’d fallen asleep in Ezra’s arms last night.
Exhaustion and strain and an unexpected comfort had dragged us into slumber.
Dakota answered on the first ring, like she’d already had her phone in her hands. “Good morning, Snuggle Muggle.”
God, she was chipper first thing in the morning.
I was still adjusting to the hours, even though I absolutely loved working at the café. I’d be a liar if I said it wasn’t because of the people.
Suddenly nervous, I shifted my weight from foot to foot. “Hey, I hate to do this to you, but I’m not going to be able to come in today.”
Silence echoed for a beat before worry came surging through. “Oh no, are you sick? I swear, colds start going around the second the temperatures drop. I’m switching the daily soup to chicken noodle. As soon as it’s ready, I’ll bring you over some.”
“No, that’s not necessary.” Why was I whispering?
“Then what is it?”
I glanced behind me to Ezra’s opened bathroom door. What was I supposed to say? Last night he’d made it clear he didn’t want the town knowing about the attack before they had gotten more details, but this was Dakota we were talking about.
They were close.
Family, really.
It felt wrong keeping it from her.
My voice dropped even lower. “There was an incident with Ezra last night.”
“What do you mean?”
I wavered, a hand tugging at my hair. “He’s okay, but someone was messing around outside his house, and Ezra went out to investigate and…”
“And what?” Panic ricocheted from the other end of the line.
“He only needed a few stitches, but he was stabbed.”
“What?” she screeched.
Crap.
This was coming out all wrong.
But what had I expected? That she wouldn’t freak out?
“I promise, he’s fine. The paramedics were really amazing and took good care of him and then I made sure he was comfortable for the rest of the night, but I just thought it would be a good idea for me to stay here for the rest of the day to make sure he doesn’t overexert himself. You know how he is.”
“I’ll be there in five.”
“I don’t think—”
The line went dead.
Crappity crap.
I felt Ezra emerge from behind, and slowly, I shifted around. I really should have remained facing the wall. He was in the doorway, taking the whole thing up, the glimmering light streaking in through the window striking over him like a beacon.
