“It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt,” she told him, trying to tug her hand back.
“Stay still and let me take care of you.”
She stilled at the note of need in his voice. Sighing, she stood there until he turned off the tap.
“Duncan,” she began, but he just shook his head. He pointed at a barstool.
“Sit. I will make you another cup of coffee.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’m behaving like a brat.”
“Yes, you are. Question is, why?”
She bit her lip.
“Are you trying to get a reaction from me? Spit it out.”
She took a deep breath. Spit it out? Really? Couldn’t he just read the signals? No, was so busy tiptoeing around her that he couldn’t see what she really needed. She grabbed the cup he had placed in front of her. Perfectly made as always.
Here he was taking care of her and she was acting like a brat.
“Something bad happened to me, Duncan, and for so long I’ve let it rule my life. I shut out everyone. I threw myself into my work and I dated a jerk so I didn’t risk falling in love. I’ve talked through what happened to death. I had therapy. I know my issues. I know I still have triggers. But I miss parts of what we used to have. I miss having you take charge. The question is, are you prepared to help me?”
Duncan drew in a sharp breath as he flipped the eggs he’d put on to fry. He turned to stare at Laken, ignoring the toaster as it popped.
“Baby, I will always help you. But I don’t want to do anything to scare you.” He’d chop off his hands before harming her. He owed her so much; he just didn’t want to do anything to make her fear him.
He grabbed the toast and buttered it, then placed the eggs on top. He put one plate in front of her, before pouring some apple juice for her and orange juice for him.
“I can’t guarantee that there won’t be some things that will bring back some old memories, but they have nothing to do with you. Can you handle my nightmares?”
He couldn’t stand not touching her. So he lifted her, sat, and placed her on his lap.
“I’ll do better than that; I’ll help you fight them. I keep fucking this up, don’t I? You’ve been trying to tell me what you wanted and I keep going with what I think is best.”
“Well, you are a man. You’re supposed to be a bit dense.” She giggled as he tickled her in retribution.
“You have a lot of courage,” he praised her.
She shook her head, blushing. “No, I don’t. But I am damn horny. Don’t hold back anymore, Duncan.”
“No more holding back.”
“Thank you.”
“Keep your thanks for later, sugar. You’ll need it.” He sent her a cheeky wink and she laughed.
***
Duncan drove to Laken’s place, expectation running through his veins. Funny how quickly he’d grown accustomed to going home to her. How much he looked forward to it.
Pulling up outside her store, he climbed out, his gaze roaming. Haven was a safe little town, but Duncan still didn’t like that she lived over her shop. Neither her shop nor her apartment had a security alarm. Anyone could force their way inside.
If she lived with me I could surround her in safety.
He had failed her before, failed her terribly, and he was determined that nothing would happen to her again. Nothing would touch her.
He grabbed his bag out of the back seat then climbed the stairs to her place to knock on the door. When she opened it, his breath caught at the sight of her. A sexy dark-blue nightgown clung to her curves, cut low with a long slit up her right thigh.