Page 38 of Love to Hate You
Succinct as always, he states the obvious. “Got punched.”
“Yeah,” I mutter in annoyance. “I can see that.”
Without thinking, I step closer, placing my hands on either side of his face, and tilting his head upward so that I can better survey the damage. “You’re going to have one heck of a shiner in the morning,” I murmur.
“Yup.”
I look at him straight-on. “What happened?”
His muscles tense as he shrugs. “Got into a fight.”
I shake my head, exasperated that everything has to be so difficult with him when all I’m after is a straight answer. “Who did you get into it with this time?”
Probably some girl’s jealous boyfriend. That thought settles in my gut like a heavy stone.
“No one you know.”
I frown. “You’re always getting into fights,” I scold. “Maybe there’s some truth to what people say about football breeding violence.”
He holds my gaze steadily and a shiver skitters down my spine. It’s unnerving to have his eyes pinned on mine. I have no idea what he’s thinking. All at once, I become aware of the intimate way I’m cradling his bristly cheeks in the palms of my hands. The scent of his aftershave tickles my nostrils.
I always thought his eyes were a grayish-blue, but that’s not the case at all. Silvery flecks dance within the flinty irises. Normally, I go to great lengths to keep my distance from Carter. When I don’t, little sparks of attraction flare to life between us.
Just like they are right now.
Carter clears his throat, breaking the strange spell woven around me. I drop my hands from his face as if I’ve been scalded and quickly step away. But it’s not enough. I still feel the heat of his body.
Needing more space, I rack my brain for an excuse and blurt, “I’ll get some ice and ibuprofen for the swelling.” I retreat to the safety of the kitchen.
I need a moment to collect my thoughts and calm the nerves prickling along the surface of my skin. The attraction I feel for Carter defies logic. I wish it would just go away.
Relieved to have something to occupy my hands, I fill a sandwich baggie with ice cubes and wrap it in a thin dishcloth. Then I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and head into the bathroom for a couple of pain-killers that should help with the inflammation.
Not wanting our fingers to come into contact, I gingerly hand over the ibuprofen and water. He washes down the pills in one thirsty swig. I give him the bag of ice, which he gently presses against his left eye. A hissing sound escapes from his lips as he settles back in the chair. His good eye drifts shut.
With both of his eyes closed, I’m free to look my fill. My gaze roves over his muscular body sprawled out on the recliner. The confused emotions I experienced five minutes ago invade my belly, making it tremble with something that feels suspiciously like desire. Part of me wants to reach out and stroke my fingers over his face again. I ball my hands into fists. I need to get out of here before I do something stupid and embarrass myself.
Shattering the silence, I blurt, “Is there anything else you need?”
“No,” he mumbles. “Thanks for the ice and pills.”
“It wasn’t a problem.”
Again, I wonder how he ended up with the black eye. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen him with a bruise on his face. I frown, realizing I’ve never actually seen Carter lose his temper.
But he must, right?
What other explanation is there?
“You never said how this happened.” I shift from one foot to the other as I bite my lip, wishing I hadn’t opened my big mouth.
He doesn’t bother to meet my gaze. “Nope, I didn’t.”
The finality of his words rubs me the wrong way. As irritation floods through my system, desire dissipates. Not only is there a physical distance between us, but an emotional one as well. And that’s exactly the way it needs to stay.
I fold my arms across my chest and glare. “So, you’re not going to tell me?” I pause for a beat. “What did you do? Hit on someone’s girlfriend?”
He lifts his head and opens his uncovered eye, focusing intently on me. “Nailed it. That’s exactly what happened.”
There’s a deadened look in his gray gaze.
One that sends shivers down my spine.
Needing to keep him at arm’s length, I sigh and head back to my bedroom.