Page 58

My entire body fucking hurt since Blue dragged me down the steps, so picking one injury out from another was almost impossible. Hitting a rough patch, my skin buzzed, causing me to huff under my breath.

Fuck, I felt that.

Salt came out of the bathroom, carrying a small pouch, his gaze serious and set on my back. “Turn into the light for me.” Following his directions, I twisted around. “Lean forward.”

“What are you doing? What's wrong?”

“Just stay still.” I felt his hands as they pulled on my skin, stretching it tight. “Let me know if it hurts too much.”

Nodding, I watched him the best I could from over my shoulder. His face was still, working diligently on something I couldn't see. I could feel light tugs on my back and something sharp sticking me.

“Can you tell me what you're doing?”

Glancing up at me, Salt grinned. “I'm playing doctor. This might sting a bit.” Winking, he splashed my skin with liquid.

Sucking in air through my teeth, I pinched my eyes closed.

“You alright?” he asked.

“I'm fine.” Opening my eyes, I clutched the wood shelf under the window, forcing the pain to flow from my fingers into the wood. “Are you almost done?”

“Yeah, almost.” Laying out a white towel, he pushed my shoulders forward more.

We were both quiet as he plucked at my flesh, placing splintered pieces of wood on the towel. Salt was tender, his touch methodical and precise as he mended my wounds.

It felt like an out of body experience. I had a man tending to me, caring for me, asking me if I was alright when he knew I was in pain.

Peeking at him, his eyes were set in place as he bandaged up my back and stood up. “There, everything is clean and shouldn't get infected now.”

“Why?”

“Why won't it get infected?” he asked, angling his head into his shoulder.

“No, why did you do that?”

“That's not the question you should be asking. You should be asking me why I would want one night with you.”

Biting my bottom lip, I flicked my eyes between his. “Why would you want me?”

Bringing his lips in closer, they hovered dangerously over mine. “Your eyes, your lips, your porcelain skin. . .” Exhaling, the tip of his nose brushed mine. “Because you have yet to bloom, my flower.”

I could feel his breath as the heat washed across my face, making the hair on my arms stand straight. Placing one thumb on my bottom lip, he drew it back and forth, touching me in a way that no man ever had.

He was gentle, he was kind, he was loving.

Love. A word that I had long forgotten and thought would never return. I knew I loved my family, but that was the only love I ever had the pleasure of feeling. And even that love was short lived.

I never had a boyfriend. I hadn't experienced true love.

The love a man and woman share together, a kiss that wasn't built off dirty money and fear of beatings. What it felt like to be held and not demanded, to be stroked and not moved around like a plastic toy.

I wasn't sure what to do with the feelings that were running rampant through my body. My clit had started to throb and pulse, my stomach was swirling with butterflies that created a wave of shivers as his body shifted closer.

His face was no more than an inch from mine. I could smell his cologne, the sweetness of caramel mixed with cedar. Taking in a slow, deep breath, I let the aroma fill my lungs. It took me some place else, to a kinder place, a place that wasn't so dark anymore.

I could feel my body coming alive. The warmth in my belly spread up my chest and down my legs. My fingertips were tingling right down to the very edge. A rush of fire burned across my cheeks, making my face feel so hot.

“What are you doing?” I asked as Salt pressed in even more, our mouths so close to touching I wasn't sure what to do.