She stared at him, and he looked at her bruises then turned his head away a moment as if he couldn’t stand to look at her now. She felt embarrassed and she was the one to blame. She took a deep breath knowing that she needed to gain control over her life and her emotions. She may be destined to be alone, but she didn’t have to cry about it or moan and groan and look needy and helpless. Especially in front of a man she had allowed herself to open up to and touch her intimately. It was a mistake she wouldn’t make again.
“Like I said, there are plenty of other men around that are capable of helping here. Their girlfriends are here, and they want them protected, too.”
She looked up at him and could see how angry he was getting. It was almost as if he really did care. She had that feeling in her gut, but once again she knew she wasn’t good at reading her gut, or people. She was hopeless. Lowering her eyes, she turned away. Steven was standing there.
“Did anyone look at the bruises on your ribs to make sure they’re not broken?” he asked all concerned.
She shook her head. “They’re not broken. Just bruised, like my wrist.”
“We’re going to head out. If you need anything call us, okay?” Virgo stated, and she smiled. She had nearly forgotten that they were still there. She could sense their uneasiness at being present in the room while she and Mason banged heads. Well tough. She hadn’t asked any of them to come here. She wanted to be alone.
“Thank you, guys.”
Virgo and Dale left the house.
“Hey, why don’t I order dinner?” Monte asked.
“Yeah, that sounds good. You can go pick it up and we’ll stay here with Sally,” Steven suggested. She was shocked. They were conniving their way to stay here.
“I can do that, no problem. I’ll be back in thirty minutes. Put the alarm on when I go. I’ll call when I pull into the driveway so you can disarm it,” Monte said.
She felt Steven touch her shoulder. She moved away from his hand.
“Stand up and let me take a look at your side.” She shook her head. As she stared up at him, his brown crew-cut hair, and handsome features, she wondered if in fact he did care. Why had he always pushed away from her? His brother did the same thing. Steven was in medical mode. Being a doctor, he would want to care for anyone in need.
“Please, baby, let me take a look. I’m a doctor and I know what I’m doing.”
He was a doctor first and his care was because of his profession, nothing more.
“I’m fine, Steven. I just want to go into the other room.”
“He won’t give up on this, so you might as well give in now,” Mason stated behind her. He was a man of orders and direction. He said “jump” and people responded “how high.” She felt her pussy clench with desire. That shocked her. Why now, after Sunday night’s assault, and after everything that had happened in her past, would she be sexually turned on by men with power and control? Why, by a man who touched her, made her explode in ecstasy, and then left her alone as if it meant nothing at all? She stared at Mason and then back at Steven. Why did they have to be so good-looking and so strong?
I’ve lost my mind. There’s no other explanation.
She released an uneasy breath as Steven held her gaze. Then his eyes zeroed in on her bruises.
She slowly stood up and stepped toward him. The moment he placed his hand on her hip she tensed and pulled away.
“Don’t, Steven.”
“Sweetheart, I’m not going to hurt you. Please don’t look at me like that.”
“I don’t need you to look. I’ll be fine.” She tried to walk away, only for Steven to pull her into his arms and hug her to him.
He cupped the back of her head with his hand and caressed her hair. His arm wrapped around her body and away from her waist.
She laid her good cheek against his solid chest. He towered over her as she absorbed his masculinity and cologne.
“Oh God, Sally, how the hell did this happen? I know that it was Garret and Keiffer. Monte didn’t give me the details, but he did say that much. Why won’t you let me help you?” he asked as he held her firmly against him.
She slowly reached up and placed her hands against his back and hugged him.
It felt so good to be in his arms. It felt right, but the fear was stronger.
“I’m fine. I’ll get through this just like everything else.” She felt Mason move in behind her. He placed his hand on her shoulder and his other hand on her hip. Immediately, she pulled away from them. It reminded her of Garret and Keiffer and how they sandwiched her between them.
“No, don’t do that. Don’t place me between you like that. I don’t like it. I don’t want to feel trapped like that. I can’t do that.” She rambled on and the tears flowed from her eyes.