Her mouth opens and then closes as she swallows down whatever she was about to say. “Is it that bad?” she asks, lifting her hand to her cheekbone and wincing as soon as she touches her skin. “Fuck.”
“I’m grabbing the carrots next and putting the peas back in. Keep your ass here.”
She gives me a nod, dropping her hand back to her leg, looking defeated. “I’ll be here,” she whispers.
I stalk back down the hallway, finding Luna in the kitchen. “Hey,” I say, moving to the freezer.
“You can go if you want. I can make sure she keeps ice on her face,” she offers, leaning against the counter, watching me.
I turn, looking at her head on. “I’m good. I want to make sure she keeps ice on it all night. You good?”
She stares at me, the same blue eyes as her sister. “I’m good. Thanks for coming to her rescue…our rescue.”
“Anytime, kid,” I say, turning my back to her as I fish out the other bag of vegetables. “Men should never lay their hands on a woman. And if they do, they need to pay a steep price.”
When I face her again, she ticks her head toward the hallway and the bedrooms. “I don’t know what would’ve happened to her or me if you hadn’t.” She stops and swallows, no doubt running through all the possibilities.
“No one’s going to touch either of you again. No worries, doll.”
She smiles at me, looking every bit as beautiful as her sister. “You sweet on her?”
“She definitely has my attention,” I say honestly and lift the bag between us. “I better get back.”
“You’re sweet on her,” she repeats, but this time, it’s not a question.
I don’t answer as I stalk back down the hallway and walk into Rosie’s room, but she isn’t where I left her. I turn, finding her in the bathroom, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
I drop the bag on the bed and walk into the bathroom behind her, looking at her bruised and still beautiful face.
“I’m a mess,” she says, angling her face closer. “Look at me.”
I move my hand to her hips as if I’ve done it a million times. “You look beautiful.”
And goddamn she does. Her blond hair falls over her shoulders, framing her breasts. Her high cheekbones are uneven, one side puffier and redder than the other. Her blue eyes are big, with the longest eyelashes I’ve ever seen, made more stunning by the dark mascara coating them. Her nose is perfect, never having been broken, and thin, ideal for her face. She’s an absolute stunner, and her attitude and spirit make her even more beautiful than her looks.
“I look like an MMA fighter.” She groans, touching her face again and wincing as if somehow it was going to feel different from a few minutes ago.
“Imagine the other guy’s face,” I tell her, squeezing her hip. “Your bruise will heal, babe. A few days, you won’t even know it happened, and you’ll be as pretty as ever.”
“Dylan,” she whispers, staring at me in the mirror. “Tonight could’ve gone…”
I shake my head, staring into her blue eyes. “It didn’t. Come on, Ro. We need to ice that face, or it’ll take longer to heal.”
She sighs and turns, sliding her body against mine. “Thank you,” she whispers, peering up at me through those long lashes.
My hand moves with her, staying firmly planted on her hip. “Don’t mention it.”
She places her hand against my chest, leaning into me again. “No, really. I’m afraid to think of what would’ve happened if you hadn’t shown up. I probably would have…”
I lift my hand to cup her face, making sure she’s looking at me when I say, “Shh, baby. Stop thinking about what could’ve happened. It didn’t, but the more you stand here talking about it, the worse your face is looking, and it’s a shame because it’s one helluva face.”
She steps out of my space and back into the bedroom, swiping the bag of carrots off the bed before collapsing on top of the mattress. “You can go,” she dismisses me as I walk into the bedroom and start to kick off my boots.
“Not on your life.” I move around the bed to the opposite side. “You’re not getting rid of me that easy. Whatever you need, I’ll get it. You just lie there and do your best to heal.”
She stares at me with one eye, the other covered by the white plastic bag. “You’re ridiculous.”
“You may want another orgasm too, and I want to make sure all of my services and abilities are available to you whenever you need them.”
Her one eye rolls back. “I’m good for a couple months now. Itch has officially been scratched.”
I jerk my head back and choke on my own spit. “A couple months?”
She throws her arm over her face, not giving me anything to look at except her smoking body. “I know the women you’re probably used to are a little freer with their bodies, but I am not. I don’t sleep around.”
I take the invitation, staring at every inch of her and fantasizing about all the things I could do to her and with her. “Never thought you did.”
“I also don’t do what we did out there.”
I smile at her, letting my eyes drift down from her stomach to her legs that look smooth as silk. “Whatever you say, wildcat.”
“Stop talking,” she tells me. “I have a headache.”
“Sure, baby,” I whisper. “Get some rest. I’ll make sure the ice stays on, and I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“Dylan,” she says softly, uncovering her one eye. “Thanks again.”
“No problem.”
She closes her eyes, holding the pack on the other one, but she keeps moving, trying to get comfortable. I pull myself up to the top of the bed, resting my back against a stack of pillows and the headboard. “Lemme,” I say, moving her hand away from the bag and taking over. “I got this.”
She doesn’t argue as I take over, and she melts into the mattress and stills. Within minutes, her breathing slows, growing deeper until she’s out cold.
When the day started, I never imagined I’d fall asleep next to Rosie Gallo. This is a clusterfuck of epic proportions, but I’ve never taken the easy road with anything. Why start now? All I know is that I want Rosie Gallo, and I will do everything possible to insert myself into her life, no matter how much hell I’ll have pay to be there.
11
ROSIE
I roll over, squinting as the sunshine hits my face, and see nothing but emptiness. I’m somehow relieved and sad at the same time. I don’t know why part of me thought he’d stick around, or even why I wanted him to.
Last night got out of hand and pushed me way beyond my comfort zone. I never expected for someone to hit me or for Dylan to come to my rescue, beating the guy in my defense. I sure as hell never thought I’d end the evening being kissed by Dylan and dry humping him.
I squeeze my eyes shut again, filled with regret and shame about the last twelve hours of my life. I’m usually the one who’s more reserved, and I overthink everything before I follow through. But last night, I winged it, and today, I have little doubt I’ll pay the consequences.