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M was lying on his back, looking too good and tempting, despite how he rubbed his hand over his forehead.

“Do you have a headache?”

“Yeah. Would you mind getting me two ibuprofen from the bathroom?”

“Sure. No problem.” She retrieved them for him, along with a glass of water and sat on the edge of the bed. “Sit up. Take these.”

He did, and she used his new position to dab ointment along the long line of stitches before covering the worst portion of it in thick pads, then wrapping gauze around his arm and shoulder to hold it in place.

He cupped her cheek, met her gaze, then kissed her forehead. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

She gave him a soft kiss, hating that he was hurt, and hoping to make him feel just a little better. “You’re welcome. Lie back.” She covered him with the blanket once he settled, then climbed into the bed on the other side and curled up next to him.

He immediately pulled her closer, until she pressedalong his side, rested her head on his good shoulder, and draped her leg over his.

“That’s better.” With that, his whole body relaxed.

She’d never felt safer or like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

They hadn’t known each other long, but she felt like she knew him down to his soul.

She tried so hard to stay in the moment and enjoy their closeness, but those text messages spun through her mind, making her wonder whether Rick had just gotten caught up in his anger because of her silence or if he was unstable enough to act on his threats.

Chapter Fifteen

Viper came awake slowly to the wonderful feel of Lyric’s hand stroking his head, her fingers brushing through his hair. It felt way too early for her to be awake.

She kissed his lips, his cheek, his forehead, then pressed her lips to his again. “I’m sorry to wake you, but I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.”

He opened his eyes and found her sitting on the bed beside him fully dressed. A sad disappointment, because he liked her naked and in bed beside him. “What time is it?”

“Just after six. Melody texted that she’d take my shift at the ranch, but I know she probably hasn’t been to sleep yet since she closed the bar last night, so I asked her if she’d pick me up and take me to the ranch instead.”

“Do you think you can manage with your arm? You don’t want to pull your stitches.”

“I’ll be fine.” She gave him another soft kiss. “Will I see you later?”

“I’m not sure. It depends... on a lot of factors.” He hated to say the next part but had to do it. “Don’t come back here unless I say it’s okay. It’s not that I don’t want you here,” he added quickly.

She pressed her finger to his lips. “It’s fine. You’ve got your thing to do. I’ve got mine. You know where to find me, right?”

“I will always find you, Angel. I just wish it didn’t need to be like this right now.”

“I know. I feel that every time we’re together.”

“Be careful in the kitchen.” He took her hand and brought it to his mouth and kissed the back of it above the bandage wrapped around her wrist.

She gently touched the bandage on his shoulder. “Stay away from whoever and whatever got you this.”

“I wish I could.” He reached for her and pulled her down for another kiss. “I want more of this. You and me together.”

“Me, too. When you’re with me, I feel safe.”

He raised a brow and stared at her, seeing something cross her eyes and disappear. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m just... nervous about whatever it is you’re doing. I don’t want you to get hurt again.”

He read something more in her eyes. “That’s part of it, but there’s something else. Tell me.”