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She narrowed her eyes like she didn’t believe him, but Rafe didn’t even blink. I have a hell of a lot more practice lying than you do, sweetheart.
“Well, I should probably still go. I’m sure you have stuff to do. You don’t need me hanging around.”
“Shopping, remember?” Rafe tugged on one of the blond curls hanging over her shoulder.
“You’re really not going to let that go, are you? Are you always this stubborn?” She smiled, but it turned to a grimace. Rafe slid an arm underneath her and carried her to the couch.
“Short answer, yes.”
“What are you doing?” she protested.
Rafe ignored her and walked back to his bathroom to get the arnica cream he used for his own bruises. He felt calmer by the time he got back, but that calmness disappeared when he lifted the edge of the shirt she was wearing and he cursed a blue streak. He took a deep breath, trying to move past the rage he felt at seeing the large purple bruise on the right side of her torso. There was no hiding it. She’d been punched or kicked in the ribs recently.
“You probably need to be seen by a doctor. He could have killed you.” Even before she started shaking her head, he figured that wouldn’t go over well. “Well, you at least need to take it easy over the next few days.”
“I have so much to do. Finding a place, getting a job.”
“All of that can wait. You’re welcome to stay here and keep me company.”
Suddenly Diana wouldn’t look at him. When she finally turned, he saw her swiping away tears.
“It’s just so embarrassing, you know? I never thought he would…”
“Hit you?” Rafe finished for her. They didn’t speak as he smoothed the cream gently over the bruise.
To give himself time to settle, he walked back to the kitchen to wash his hands. All the while his mind was going in a million directions, but they all led to the same road. Who was the fucker who’d hurt her, and how many ways could Rafe make him beg before he put him out of his misery? He walked back into the living
room and knelt next to the couch.
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. You didn’t do anything wrong. Any chance you’ll make it easier for me and just tell me his name?”
Diana focused on his face then, her dark eyes probing his. “Not a chance. I have a feeling if I told you that, he wouldn’t make it through the night. And I’m not interested in blood being shed in my name, thanks.”
“You have good instincts then. Because I was thinking he wouldn’t make it through breakfast.” When her dark eyes flared wide, he forced a smile onto his face. “Let’s get you ready, then we’ll get you some new clothes.”
Their eyes met, dark into dark, before she finally sighed. “Okay, I guess I can hang around for a little while.”
Rafe didn’t reply, just nodded and went back to his room to change. Diana didn’t know it yet, but she’d be hanging around a lot longer than a little while.
Because he didn’t plan on letting her out of his sight until he knew she was safe.
Rafe didn’t realize the flaw in his plans until the next day.
After spending the previous day shopping with her and sleeping on the situation for a night, he realized having her so close wasn’t going to be easy.
He’d never had a woman in his apartment before. Especially not one that fired his protective senses the way Diana did.
Yeah great job, asshole. The last thing an injured woman needs is you going all Captain America on her behalf.
But reining in his murderous rage at the sight of that huge bruise on her ribs would have been impossible.
On a high note, she was still talking to him. So she wasn’t entirely freaked out. The problem was she kept giving him those eyes. The ones that said she wanted him to lose it on her behalf. The ones that beckoned him closer when he knew he needed to stay away. He wasn’t the kind of guy she needed.
She needed someone kind and sensitive. And he was far from that. He was all rough edges and a killing machine. He’d been out in the cold too long.
But as he started to get ready to leave for Lucia’s, a niggling sense of guilt and longing pricked at him. He didn’t want to leave her by herself. She was still hurt. Oh, who are you kidding? You want to hang out with her.
His dick twitched in his jeans and Rafe growled. “Down, boy.” Now was not the time.
