Page 18 of Poison and Wine
A flush filled her cheeks, and she ducked her head. Leaning over, I placed my hand on her knee. “Don’t worry, Kitten. I made my brothers turn their heads. I’m the only one who saw you naked.”
Her chin trembled slightly. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
I don’t know why her reaction bothered me, but it did. I’d fully expected her to bite my fecking head off when I told her I’d stripped her. Wounded Caterina sent feelings flooding through me, and I sure as hell didn’t like it. I wasn’t a man who had feelings with women.
But Caterina was different. And not just in the fact she was to be my wife. She possessed an innocence I wasn’t accustomed with. “It was a necessary evil. You have my word that I didn’t touch you anywhere I shouldn’t have or that would take away from your honor.”
While I thought my words might ease her mind, Caterina once again proved me wrong. Jerking her gaze up to meet mine, she shook her head. “Like your word means anything.”
“It means something to me and my brothers, and I state before them that I didn’t touch you unnecessarily.”
“Whatever,” she grumbled.
When she rose off the couch, she swayed on her feet. I reached out to grip her upper arm before she could fall. “Can you walk, or would you like to be carried?”
She snatched her arm out of my grip. “I don’t need or want anything from you.”
“Considering you shot me, I’m incapable of helping you.”
“Then why did you bother asking?”
“Because I was going to have one of my brothers carry you.”
“I’m fine.”
But the moment after she said it, she lunged to the side and almost fell against the side of the jet. “Quinn, I believe your services are needed again,” I remarked with a smile.
At the sight of Quinn’s scarred face and harsh attitude, Caterina’s eyes widened. But to her credit, she didn’t protest. Instead, she gave him a tight smile. “Thank you for the help.”
A flash of surprise filled his face that she wasn’t shying away from him. But as quickly as it came, he buried it. “Whatever,” he grunted.
When Quinn swept her into his arms, Caterina squeaked. He did it so effortlessly that she flopped around like a ragdoll in his embrace. To steady herself, she threw her arms around his broad neck. Since Quinn hated anyone touching his damaged skin, he momentarily froze. His chest rose and fell in harsh pants.
Caterina must’ve noticed his reaction because she gave him an apologetic look. Pulling her arms away from his scarred neck, she then remarked, “I’m so very sorry if I hurt you. Is this better?”
Quinn remained frozen, not even blinking as he stared at Caterina. But then a slight shudder trembled through his massive body. I exhaled the breath I’d been holding. While my brother was a ruthless enforcer, he’d never raised a hand against a woman. As a stranger, Caterina’s touch could’ve set him off.
My eyes popped wide as I watched Quinn’s usual dark expression melt to one of reverence. “Yes, lass, that’s grand.”
“You’re very strong,” Caterina complimented.
In a gravelly voice, Quinn replied, “And you’re light as a feather.”
The corners of her lips quirked up. “You sure know how to make a girl feel practically weightless.” After appraising his unmarred bicep, she remarked, “I bet you could carry me in just one arm.”
“Is that a dare?”
She giggled. “Maybe. Just don’t try it as we go down the stairs in case you drop me.”
“I’d never allow that to happen.”
“I don’t believe you would.” As they started down the stairs, Quinn shifted her to where he was carrying her in only one arm. “Show off,” she teased.
Dare and I exchanged open-mouthed glances while Kellan just shook his head in surprise. I couldn’t remember the last time Quinn had willingly carried on a conversation with a female outside of our mother and sister. While he was far from a monk, his interactions with women had changed since the bombing.
Just when I thought nothing else could surprise me, Quinn actually smiled at Caterina. “I told you I wouldn’t drop you.”
“I assume you’re the protector of the family?”