Page 68 of Thirst Trap

He looked away, almost embarrassed.

“You shot someone for me. Least I can do.”

She stepped into the water, sinking into warmth. Lucas rolled up his sleeves, knelt beside the tub, dipped a cloth, and began washing her arms. Her shoulders. Careful.

Reverent.

She studied him. “You’ve never done this before, have you?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“You’re good at it.”

“Don’t tell anyone.”

She smiled, cupped the back of his neck, drew his forehead to hers.

“You don’t need to fix me.”

“I’m not trying to,” he whispered. “I’m just… not used to people choosing me.”

“I did.”

Steam curled higher. The scent of roses and sandalwood thickened. Maddison dragged the cloth down her collarbone, rinsing away blood that wasn’t hers.

Lucas sat beside the tub, silent, watching. Still strung tight from the deal. From the shot. From the way she hadn’t even blinked pulling the trigger.

“You’re not getting in?” she teased.

He leaned in and kissed her instead, slow, deep, desperate. When he pulled back, his voice cracked.

“Why?”

Her gaze was steady. “Because I’m not going to let them hurt you.”

His throat tightened. “You didn’t even hesitate.”

“Nope.”

“You could’ve been killed.”

“But you weren’t.”

That hit harder than any bullet.

He kissed her knuckles. “You’re dangerous.”

She smirked. “You like it.”

“I love it.”

Her eyes softened. Her voice dropped to a vow.

“You don’t have to protect me from this world, Lucas. I was born looking for something worth bleeding for. And now I’ve found it.”

Chapter 34

What the Hell Are You Doing Here?