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My heart ached.
“Ye did good,” I reassured. “Handled him like a pro.”
“I exposed my brother to a threat. I can’t believe I was so stupid.”
“No. You’re in danger. Your father exploited that. Raphael’s status hasn’t changed in any way.”
She sniffed, still not looking at me. “I don’t know why I’m upset.”
“Your dad just treated ye horribly. You’ve every right.”
She inclined her head. “He was always like that. Gabe and Raphael were his golden boys. He invested time in them. Spoke to them and sought their opinions and respect. I was nothing to him and I’m still not.”
Emotion rocked me. I breathed out through my nose. “You’re important.”
“Or just a pawn, only useful for men to move around a board. Just…ignore me. The feeling will pass, and I’ll be myself tomorrow.”
“No,” I said softly.
Ariel lifted her focus. Our gazes linked.
“No?” she repeated.
“No, I won’t ignore ye. That’s impossible. I’m here to do the exact opposite of that.”
I couldn’t bear it, seeing her upset. I’d never once witnessed Ariel cry in the past so couldn’t start to imagine the childhood trauma this had raised. I’d just promised her brother I’d protect her, and right now, she was spiralling.
Reaching out, I caught the loop of her black jeans and tugged her towards me. Ariel stumbled onto my body, both hands flat on my chest. She stared at me, as amazed as I was by my move.
I hadn’t intended to touch her. Had no business getting this close.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I have no idea.”
“You know, it’s too bad you turned me down.” Then she swore gently and pushed up to meet my lips.
Instantly, my eyes closed, and every other sense went on high alert. Ariel kissed me. Her tentative and slow action drove a wave of need through me, and she angled to better connect our touch.
Fuck it.
Fuck every ounce of resistance I’d held on to.
She needed the distraction, and I’d made a promise. The tight hold I had on my control was lost.
A deeper press sent me crazy, and I tugged her closer, letting our kiss ramp up. Ariel endangered my reason. Her soft lips on mine were my new favourite thing, and I just wanted…
No, it was too intimate. Couldn’t allow it.
I gripped her arms and tore my mouth away, needing to draw a line between the fucking yearning in me and the comfort she so badly deserved.
“Ye have a choice,” I forced out. “We’ve been messing with each other, and I’m here for ye in whatever way ye choose, but it’s been one fucking nightmare of a day for ye, so I know exactly where I want to bury my face to get your mind off it. If you’d rather I walked away then that’s fine, too.”
Her wide eyes took on a stunned look.
“Send me away, or let me give ye what I think will help. Just once. Right now.”
She took a short breath. “Okay.”
