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“I, um . . . now isn’t a good time.”
“There’s never a time when it isn’t a good time to eat.”
She stared at him for a moment.
“Well, maybe when you’re using the toilet,” he mused. “That doesn’t seem a great time to eat.”
More staring.
“Or in church. I imagine the pastor wouldn’t appreciate that.”
“Or a funeral,” she whispered. “Or while swimming.”
“Good points, darlin’. But you know when is a good time to eat?”
“When?”
“Right now. So, are you going to take pity on me and make me a sandwich?” He gave her his best puppy dog look.
Something like amusement filled her face. And he couldn’t lie, his legs went a bit noodle-like with relief. Because he’d been afraid that his Hannah had completely disappeared.
That she wasn’t just hiding. That she was truly gone and not coming back. However, that twitch of her lips gave him hope.
“So, I not only have to supply the fixings, but I have to make you the sandwich as well?”
He let his lower lip droop. “I can make it myself. I might keel over while doing it, but I’m willing to take that risk.”
“Well, I should be grateful that you’re willing to keel over while making yourself a sandwich because you’re starving from missing lunch fifty-five minutes ago,” she said dryly.
Thank fuck.
He didn’t know what had happened today. And from what he was guessing, it wasn’t going to be good . . . and it was going to make him mad. But whatever had happened had helped her drop her icy cold shield. And let the real Hannah shine through.
His challenge was going to be getting that Hannah to stay here with him.
While also keeping his shit together when learning what had happened to her.
“I’m glad you understand where I’m coming from, darlin’. Now, in order for me to make this sandwich, am I coming in or are we going to the store to get the fixings?”
She stared from him to behind him. Then, back over her shoulder at the kitchen. He tried his best to hide that he’d grown tense. If she tried to make him leave, he knew he was going to get forceful.
And then she’d likely clam up again.
“Darlin’?” he murmured. “What are we going to do?”
“I don’t . . . I don’t know, Raid. I just . . . I don’t know.”
He got it then. Or, at least, he thought he did. Hannah was struggling. He could see it in her face. It might be because she was exhausted, perhaps overwhelmed, but it could also be part of who Hannah was. He knew she liked to submit when she went to Saxon’s. Maybe it was about more than just play or sex.
But Hannah needed to not be making decisions right now.
These were things that he needed to know about her. He had to do some research so he could give her whatever she required. But his priorities right now were to ensure she was all right physically.
Then, emotionally.
There was a lot to unravel here. Yet what mattered most was that he was here, and she was talking to him.
“Darlin’, I’m hungry, and I’ve been out here a while. Let me in, yeah?” He worded it as a question, but put some sternness into his voice.
Even though she still looked worried, the tension left her, and she nodded.
Her shields were down enough that her need to please came through. As well as her desire not to have to make the decision about what to do. Because he’d taken it out of her hands.
That’s what she needed from him. Someone to take over, even if it was just for a short while. To give her some respite.
He knew Alec thrived on being in control. That he was a better man for having people to look after.
Sometimes, that meant he was a bossy, interfering bastard.
They’d all been ecstatic when he found Mia, figuring he’d focus his control-freak behavior on her. And that the rest of them would be able to breathe without him trying to smother them.
He also knew that while Alec felt better when he had a woman to take care of, Mia thrived from having him look after her. Not take over her life completely, but someone she could go to if she needed help. Someone who would help her, cheer her on, be there when she fell. Someone who had no problem standing between her and the world when she needed a bit of added protection.
For the first time in his life, Raid felt that need to be that for someone else.
But not just anyone. Hannah.
Yep, maybe it was time he had an awkward, but necessary, talk with his brother.
Hannah didn’t give him any more problems as she let him in and shut the door behind him. More proof that her shields were seriously shaken.
