SWNOVELS Brutal Savage: Chapter 28
Tynan stares at me from across the counter in the kitchen the next morning, sucking me into his gaze, and every cell in my body pulses.
I try not to react, especially with Brody right next to me.
Yet as his eyes continue to hold mine in that deep and searching way, my face heats up.
I force myself to look away, unable to handle the way he gazes at me. My gut tightens as thoughts of us from last night replay in my mind.
The things that man did to me.
Unspeakable things.
Twisting my body in ways I didn’t know I was capable of. I’ve never come that many times in one night before.
I would very much like to request a repeat.
His dark gray dress shirt stretches and conforms to his muscled chest, making my throat go dry. But that man could wear a garbage bag over his body and still look good. It’s seriously unfair.
He roughs a hand through his hair and messes it up a bit.
Jesus Christ.
I squeeze my thighs on the stool.
“Your grandma called while you were sleeping.” He drags a sip of his coffee, his heavily hooded gaze falling to my lips, and I shiver from the sultry attention.
“Oh? And you two had a nice chat, I assume?” A smile plays on my lips.
“We did, in fact.”
He fixes his navy silk tie, the muscle in his neck popping like he’s having a hard time being around me too. Like he wants to bring me back upstairs and remind me how good we are together.
My heartbeats stutter as the veins of his hand jerk when he runs it down his tie.
Yes, Elara. He’s hot. Time to get over that now.
I groan internally at myself. This is so not like me. I’m never this pathetic with men.
“She wanted to get lunch with you,” he interrupts my self-scolding. “So I told her that sounded like a good idea. I did also ask if she was interested in going shopping with you, which she was very eager about.”
My pulse gives a little thump as I gaze back at him.
His actions render me speechless.
I completely forgot that he mentioned I was going shopping today. But the fact that he planned a day for me and Gran really nudges at my heart.
“You okay?”
I nod, unable to hide my grin. “It’s just…that was sweet of you.”
Brody smiles as he bites into his bagel, and seeing this boy smiling so freely with each passing day brings me immense joy.
“It’s not a big deal.” He adds a few pieces of bacon to his plate. “Told her Rogue would pick her up in an hour.”
“Thank you.” I reach my hand for his and hold it tight, running my thumb over his knuckles.
His eyes close for a moment, like he’s savoring my touch. When our gazes connect this time, I find warmth.
“I don’t think you’ve ever told me what’s wrong with your grandfather. Anything I can do?”
As though my heart didn’t already beat for him, he just made it hammer even faster.
“No.” I shake my head. “You’ve done enough. The money helps. He has severe dementia, so he needs round-the-clock help. And neither Gran nor I can do it on our own.” My shoulders sag, and his brows instantly furrow. “Makes me feel so guilty because he’s my grandpa, you know? I should take care of him. He was always there for me growing up, and I feel as though I’m abandoning him by leaving him there.”
He tugs my hand into both of his. “No, babe, don’t do that. You can’t expect to do everything yourself.”
I shrug. But I want to. I should be able to do more for my grandfather.
“Anyway, thank you. Like I said, the money helps. I was drowning with having to pay for that place on my teacher’s salary.”
“If you need more, you just tell me.”
I nod.
He releases my hand, and tingles remain there. I don’t expect them to go away anytime soon.
“Brody has a baseball game later, by the way,” he says. “You don’t have to come if you’re too tired after your day out, but if you do, you’re more than welcome.”
“Of course I’ll be there.” I peek over at Brody, whose eyes twinkle with excitement. “I’d never miss Brody playing! When is the game?”
“You have time. The game is at four.” Something passes in his eyes—something like concern. “Make sure you stay close to Rogue.”
“Of course.”
He’s worried about me. And here come the tears I won’t shed.
With Jerry still being out there, I’m worried too. I just really hope whoever chased me wasn’t him. Though I know I’m just fooling myself.
“You have the credit card I gave you, right?”
“I do.”
“Good. Make sure you actually spend our money this time.”
“It’s not our money. It’s yours.”
He releases an exasperated sigh as he rises over to me. He grasps my jaw, his thumb brushing over my lips.
“It’s ours, Elara. You’re my wife.” His mouth descends toward my ear, lips lingering, breaths warm. “Didn’t I remind you of that last night, or do you need me to do it again this morning?”
I clear my throat, shivers running through my entire body as he rights himself, arousal growing in his gaze.
“I’ll be sure to spend as much as I can.”
He kisses the corner of my mouth. “Good.” His heavenly lips lower to my ear once again. “Think I got you pregnant yet?”
I don’t know why, but that made my breath still in my lungs. “I…I don’t know.”
“Then we should keep trying.” His voice—rough, yet smooth—is a deadly concoction of sin.
“I…uh…should go get ready if I want to make that game.”
Yes, talk about anything else just so you can stop being so turned on by the idea of him getting you pregnant.
“It won’t be a far drive. The store will bring items to the same warehouse for you to try on.”
“What store this time?”
“Valentino.”
I breathe a laugh. “Way to spoil a girl.”
Will I ever get used to this lifestyle?
“It’s what I’m here for.” His knuckles feather down my cheek, leaving goose bumps behind. He kisses my temple before returning to his breakfast. “I’m happy to see you eating so well now.”
He glances down at my bare plate, the crepes he made long gone.
“It’s kinda hard not to when you’re such a good cook.”
He shoots me a lopsided grin.
I vow to make him do that as much as possible.
I take Gran’s bags and place them in the trunk, helping her up into the SUV before sliding in beside her.
“This was so much fun!” She grins. “I really adore that man. Don’t you? I mean, he was so generous with me when he didn’t have to be.”
She fastens her seat belt as Rogue takes us on the road.
Tynan not only arranged clothes for me, but Gran too. I really almost burst into tears when I realized that. To have someone not only take care of me, but my grandparents too? That’s special. How can I run from it?
Yet how can I risk something happening to him or Brody?
“Yeah, it was really sweet of him to do this for us.”
I reach inside one of my paper bags, wanting to make sure the receipt is in there just in case I change my mind about some of the items. They were expensive. It took some convincing from Gran for me to even be okay with buying them.
But instead of a receipt, I find a simple folded white paper.
I don’t think much of it.
“What’s that?” Gran asks.
“I don’t know.” I glance at her, brows knitting in confusion as I start to unfold it. “Maybe the cashier dropped it accidenta—”
All the words escape when I look down at it.
I drag in a long, shallow inhale, fear clawing its way up my throat.
“Elara?” Gran calls, yet her voice is distant, like she’s not right beside me.
My head spins and my pulse spikes when I read the words again.
No, no, no.
Can’t breathe. Can’t breathe.
“Elara! What’s going on?”
I knew it was him. I knew Jerry would come for me.
Can’t hide from me, Ev. I’ll always find you.
Tears fill my eyes.
With a shaky hand, I crumble up the paper and toss it right out the window.
“Elara!” Her hand snaps around my forearm.
That’s when I finally look at her, trying to keep it together.
“What did you just throw out?”
I take a deep breath. “N-n-nothing. Nothing at all. I…uh, don’t wanna talk about it.”
She shakes her head. “If it was them, you need to tell Tynan. No one can do everything by themselves all the time. We all need help sometimes.”
I stare out the window, wondering if she’s right and I should tell Tynan about this. I don’t know what the right decision is. Telling him could help, or it could only make him worry more.
He’s already doing everything he can to find Jerry. Adding to his stress wouldn’t do either of us any good.