Page 36 of Bad Blood

I dragged my shirt over my head and set it on the arm of the couch, then sat down. His shoulders dropped, like he just let go of the tension he was carrying. There was a pink flush creeping along his cheeks.

“You can read while I do this, if you want.”

“No.”

“Why not? You?—”

“I can’t read.”

He was quiet for so long, just standing there, that I furrowed my brows and looked up at him. What was he waiting for?

His voice was thin when he said, “You can’t…read?”

What was the big deal? “Yeah. So?”

“Um…”

I kept my eyes locked on him as he walked slowly to the couch and sank down on the other side like his bones suddenly weighed too much.

“I can teach you.” His gaze was intense, and those words…

Teach me? I could learn how to read? That was possible?

A cold, wet nose nudged my fingers, and I absently slid my hand along Luna’s head, gliding my fingers over her soft, silky ears. My heart was pounding, and fluttery things had taken up residence in my stomach.

He would teach me how to read?

“Yes,” I said. He could teach me how to read, and then I would leave. How long could it possibly take? It would be an incredibly useful skill to have out there.

His smile was broad and bright, and something light swelled in my chest.

“Okay. Alright, great.” His eyes lowered to the bandage, and he scooted toward me.

I eyed him warily as he moved—slowly, like he didn’t want to spook me.

“Luna likes you,” he said softly. He set the box on his lap and opened it.

I’d forgotten I was petting her. I pulled my hand away, clasping my fingers together. Luna grumbled and lay at my feet, those black eyes moving from me to Cain and back again.

Cain slid closer, and I was enveloped in his heat. He smelled like sweat and skin, and I wanted to bury my nose in his neck, wanted even more of it.

I jumped when he touched my shoulder, reflexively slapping his hand away.

“I’m just gonna take this off, okay?”

He was so close to me. His voice slid into my ears, winding that deep, smoky warmth around all my limbs.

I’d never been this close to another person like this. Just…sitting. My stomach was twisting into knots. When he lightly touched my shoulder again, I didn’t slap him away this time. I squeezed my fingers together so I wouldn’t do that again.

His hands were hot, the way black pavement felt on my feet in the summer. And still, I shivered when his fingers brushed along my skin as he unwound the gauze.

He paused. “Are you cold?”

I shook my head, but I could feel my nipples getting hard. Goosebumps crawled across my arms, making all my hairs stand on end.

“Okay. Just let me know and I’ll get you something warmer. I’ll do this quick.”

I didn’t say anything, just stared down at Luna as he worked. Cain told me she was a dog. I’d heard of dogs but never seen one before. I didn’t know they were so big. Her fur was black and shiny and soft to the touch. Would Cain’s hair be that soft? Softer?