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“In trouble?”
“I don’t know.” Frustration laced his words, but he removed the thermometer and tugged my pants into place. “Your temp is lower than it should be. I’ll check it again in an hour and I expect your cooperation. Right?”
“Yes, fine. Can we go back to the more interesting topic of you and Luke?”
“Sure.” Elias helped me to a sitting position, getting down from the table first and setting me on my feet. He smoothed the blanket into place. “What do you want to know?”
“Do you have rules?”
“Not really, but there are some guidelines.” He shrugged. “Have you ever had anyone in your life set rules for you? I don’t mean a parent.”
“My ex-boyfriend was controlling.” My stupid hands trembled as I admitted it out loud for the first time, the playfulness from a moment ago gone.
“No, controlling is absolutely not okay. I’m talking about rules built around your needs and goals you’d like to achieve. There is a huge difference between a man who seeks control over you, versus one who’d appreciate and cherish your submission if you chose to go down such a path.”
“Is Luke your Dom?”
Elias stared at me with an unreadable expression on his face, as if he wanted to open up but was afraid. “If you had asked me that question yesterday, I’d have said no, but your arrival here seems to have sparked a side of Luke that’s lain dormant for a while.”
“Do you like him?”
“He’s my best friend.”
“No, silly.” I rolled my eyes and leaned into his personal space. “Do youlike him, like him?”
His lip trembled slightly, and I traced the bow of his mouth. I hadn’t meant to touch him but the way he spoke to me, the kind words, the authoritative vibe? I couldn’t keep my hands to myself. He was so attractive. Elias took my hand, returning it to my side, but laced his fingers in mine.
“It’s complicated, Emma.”
“Yeah. I know you’d never give someone like me a second glance, but I haven’t felt safe in a really long time and the way you just held me–”
“Hold up.” Elias let go of my hand. “You don’t get to judge me based on ten minutes of conversation, most of which you spent across my thighs.” He washed his hands in the small sink, drying them on a towel. “I’m not superficial, Emma. I didn’t think you were either.”
Shit. I’d falsely judged a book by its cover. It came from my total lack of self-worth and nothing to do with him. “I apologize. I haven’t been around people lately.”
“I’ll give you a pass.”
“If you mentioned what I said to Luke, he’d be unhappy with me.” I pulled the blankets tighter. “He seems fiercely protective of you. It’s sort of nice.”
“Back in high school, I used to get beat up a lot. As soon as Luke heard about it?” Elias shook his head. “He put a stop to it immediately and no one ever bothered me again. I owe him everything.”
“I owe the two of you big time. Maybe one day I’ll find a way to repay you. My knights in shining armor,” I mused, hoping to lighten the mood.
“I’m not a knight on a white horse, but Lucas might be. He’s the one who saved your life.”
“Why can’t I have a knight on a white horse and a knight on a black horse?”
“I’m not a knight at all.”
“You’re smart, obviously, and Luke thinks the world of you. I can see that from a mile away. Plus, you’re the most handsome man I’ve ever met.” Throwing my hands over my mouth as if I could retract my words, I stared at him mortified.
“You are very sweet, Emma. I’d imagine your brain is still thawing.”
“Yeah, but my heart isn’t frozen.”
“Perhaps mine is.” Elias lifted me in his arms princess style. He didn’t look strong enough to carry me, but he did it without issue, walking us back into the hallway. He set me down on the couch next to Luke.
“Thank you for fixing my foot.”
