Page 17 of Healing Creek (Arena Dogs #3)

Chapter Twelve

Creek settled Grace on a bench in the garden—his fragile but strong butterfly. Despite Mercury’s assurances that they didn’t find fault with Grace for withholding important information from them, her skin was pale and the pulse beneath her skin still beat too fast.

“It will be all right, Grace. You can trust Mercury.”

“What will they do with Patel and Santos?”

“Mercury is known for strategy. Together we will figure out what is best.”

“I hope you’re right. I’ve been trying to figure out what is the best thing to do for my sister for days.” She looked up with pleading eyes. Pleading for understanding. “I want my sister to live, but I don’t know how to help her. Those men know where she is, or they can find out.”

He thought about how to comfort her. “One thing I know is that Mercury understands the bonds of pack…of family. After he, Lo, and Carn were free they risked their lives to return to Roma and free Hera. I don’t believe he’ll do anything that will place your sister in more jeopardy.”

Grace pushed to her feet and paced. “I can’t think about it anymore. My head and my heart feel like they might explode. She was already in trouble and I’ve only made things worse.”

Creek got to his feet and stepped into her path. When she came to a halt less than a meter from him, he stepped close and cupped her face. “You’re not to blame for your sister’s peril.”

Tears tracked down her pale cheeks. She wrapped her arms around his body and pressed against his chest. He responded without thought, wrapping his arms around her in return.

Her cheek pressed against his tunic. Her tears were cool as they dampened the material.

Her arms held him tight as if her life or her heart depended on keeping their bodies pressed together.

Afraid to break her delicate body, his hold on her was light. He rubbed his hand along her spine. The silken strands of her hair brushed against the backs of his hands like a caress.

“It will be all right, my butterfly. You’ll be all right.” He wished he had the gift of words to reassure her, but it was all he could think to say. Her shoulders shook and she sobbed against him. “I’m here. You’re not alone.”

She looked up, smiling through her tears. “I’m glad you’re here with me.”

The color had returned to her cheeks. Her lips looked inviting, and he couldn’t resist them.

He leaned down slowly, giving her time to stop him if she chose.

She didn’t stop him. She kept her face tilted up to his and her gaze held his until their lips were close.

Only then did her eyes flutter closed. He pressed his lips to hers and joined her in sightlessness.

All the better to savor the warmth of her lips, to take in her cookie scent, to hear the beat of her heart, strong and steady.

He traced the curve of her bottom lip with his tongue, and her mouth opened as if to invite him in for a deeper taste.

His muscles tightened and fire sizzled through his veins.

He pressed his tongue inside and tangled it with hers, welcoming and eager.

He wanted to make her his. He wanted the kiss to go on forever.

He pulled away reluctantly when the sound of footsteps coming down the hall reached his ears. A question started to form on her lips when he stopped her. “We’re no longer alone.”

He gave himself a brief moment to glory in the dazed look in her eyes then he released her and brushed away her tears with his thumbs.

Over her head he met Lo’s midnight eyes. There was no need for the Dog to speak.

Creek laced his fingers with Grace’s. “They’ve made a decision.”