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She gives me a small smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. Her arms wrap around her waist, as if she’s scared to touch me too. “I’m good.”
It’s a lie. She’s far from good, but she’s a Fraser and she has been taught to hide her feelings over the years. She’s adept at it now. I hate her fucking parents for creating this closed off woman. Aurelia deserves better.
When the lift doors open, I feel like my breath is lodged in my throat, and I have to force my lungs to re-inflate.
She steps on the tarmac and sucks in a breath, grabbing her foot. “Ouch. Note to self—don’t run barefoot through London,” she says with a wry smile.
I don’t think. I scoop her up into my arms, ignoring her squeal of protest.
“Ryan! Put me down!”
The sound of my name on her tongue is like sweet honey. It loosens some of the air lodged in my chest.
I carry her over to the car as she clings to my neck. She feels good in my arms. I like the feel of her against me more than I should.
She’s forbidden fruit, and I need to remember that. Her brothers will murder me for having even the smallest inappropriate thought about her.
I put her back on her feet at the side of the car.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she mutters.
“I didn’t want you to hurt yourself more.”
“Oh.” Her voice is soft. “Ryan…?”
I slant my head to look at her as I unlock the car. “Yeah?”
“I’m scared.”
I turn to face her fully. “Your brothers won’t let anything happen to you. Neither will I.”
It’s a stupid promise to make, but it’s one I intend to keep.
I will protect her, no matter the personal cost, because the thought of something happening to her makes me want to fucking rage.
And that’s a thought I shouldn’t be having.
