Page 59 of Dublin Devil
Many men get put off by the tears of women—I don’t. After I made it home from my kidnapping, Mam would cry often when she saw me. She used to hug me close and say that emotions build up in women the same way they do in men.
Tears are a woman’s way of release and reset, unlike a man’s need to punch his fist through a wall or start a fight. And given what Piper’s been through, she can use me as her emotional outlet for as long as she needs.
“The mark on your cheek doesn’t change how I see you, Piper. Not negatively, at least.” I lean down and press my cheek to the top of her head. “To me, it tells a story about what a brave, strong, and unbreakably beautiful woman you have become.”
I hold her while she resets, the world outside fading into insignificance. After a while, her sobs quiet and her body relaxes. When the soft in and out of her breathing tells me she’s fallen asleep, I’m more content than I’ve ever been.
This.
If we weren’t from opposite sides of a brewing war, I would claim this woman and keep her forever. It would be my greatest honor to protect her and hold her when the world becomes too much.
But weareon opposite sides.
No matter how much I wish it could be different, Piper isn’t mine to keep. I need to stop pretending she is and get my head back in the game.
What happened between us over the past four days has to be about protecting an innocent, offering her a chance to heal, and helping a fellow human being.
Nothing more.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Piper
After having the house practically to ourselves on Sean’s first day of recovery, it’s a bit of a letdown on the next two days, having Finn and Laine home and Tag and the twins coming and going.
Even though they’ve been good to me, it’s obvious I’m not welcome here. It’s no secret that Tag wants me gone. It’s also obvious when the others stop talking whenever I enter the room.
I understand why, but it’s a bit unnerving.
What’s even more unnerving is Sean.
I’m not sure what changed, but all my plans for covert orgasms have been shot down. He’s been kind and supportive, like always, but has shown no interest in private time with me.
Did I do something wrong?
His one-eighty turnaround started right after I woke up in his bed. Sure, I turned him down for sex, but that was because he was bleeding. Did I offend him? I can’t imagine that. Did my tears scare him off? I doubt it.
The only thing I can come up with is that real life has crept in, and his attention is divided between calls from the MC, meetings with Tag, and proving to Doc Kelvin that he’s fit to be out of bed and back on his bike.
I know he misses patrolling the streets with his Devil brothers, but the wall he put up between us is personal.
Doesn’t matter. Our ill-advised affair was bound to end, so it’s good that we gain some distance and perspective before I leave.
And no matter what, I loved our time together.
Best week of my life.
“I seriously suggest you give it a couple more days, Sean.” Doc Kelvin is fighting a losing battle on that.
Sean insisted this exam take place in the living room downstairs because he’s tired of lying around in bed. “Aye, your medical opinion has been heard and is appreciated, Doc.”
“And will promptly be ignored.” Doc closes his medical bag. “I don’t know why I patch you Quinn brothers up some days.”
“Because you love us.” Finn cups his fingers against his chest in the shape of a heart.
Doc rolls his eyes. “No. It’s definitely the money.”
Finished with Sean, the good doctor turns his attention to me. “And how are you feeling, lass?”