Ensnared (Brutes of Bristlebrook, #1)(64)

She stares down at our hands, and a strange look crosses over her face. After a moment, she shakes her head, disentangling our fingers. “I know I haven’t,” she says quietly. “I’m following your rules perfectly.”

Something about that hits all wrong, but I can’t pinpoint why.

Then she takes a deep breath and smiles up at me nervously, and I’m distracted by the curve of her breasts. The trepidatious quaver of her lips.

By all that’s holy, she’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.

“Actually, I did want to ask about something,” she blurts. “Ask you about something, specifically, I mean. You’re a doctor, you see.” She winces. “I don’t know why I said that like you don’t know. Oh, I’m saying this all wrong, but because you’re a doctor, I was going to ask—”

My lips twitch despite myself, watching her get all flustered. My darker side wants to come out and play, but unlike some of the others, I do actually have some restraint, so I force myself to be patient.

“You want to ask me a medical question?” I prompt, having mercy on her.

Eden blows out a breath. “Yes. Yes, a medical question,” she agrees, tugging one of her elegant fingers anxiously. “I wanted to talk about—To ask about—” She clears her throat. “You said the other day you would do a checkup for me. So we could revisit the conversation about protection. We’re going to need to do it sooner or later, isn’t that right?”

Blinking in surprise, I study her. “Darlin’—”

She rushes on. “I do know that we need to think of diseases, and be careful, but you said you were as sure as you could be that the others were clean, right? It would be good if I could offer the same thing, is what I was thinking. But I don’t want to impose on you, because you’re so busy, and I really don’t want you to feel uncomfortable—”

“Eden—” I try again, amusement bubbling.

She frowns but doesn’t seem to hear me. “I’m not even sure how we do this without testing available. Do you still take a swab? No, that would be pointless, I suppose. So I guess you must just ask me questions, and—”

“Eden!” I break in, voice edged hard in stern command. “Enough.”

At my tone, she pulls back, her mouth snapping shut, and her hands clutching at her skirt. Her eyes darken with awareness, and spots of ardent color appear on her cheeks.

As much as I like her sweet, trusting looks, I also like this . . . the fearful way she trembles, caught in that nectarous place between arousal and alarm.

Hiding a smirk, I lay my arm along the back of the couch behind her. If she thinks I’m all apple pie and slow talk, she’s in for the shock of her life.

“You want me to give you a checkup, is that what you’re askin’?” I drawl.

She stares at me wordlessly, her breaths shallow. Her pink tongue darts out to swipe at her lower lip, and the wet trail it leaves is nothing short of profane.

“I— Maybe?” Her voice is gorgeous, husky. Ripe with desire.

“That’s very considerate of you,” I tell her, and start playing with the loose strands of her hair. Goosebumps lift the small hairs on her arms. “Gettin’ yourself prepared so we can all spread you out and fill you up with our cum.”

Eden’s hand flies to her throat, and her pulse pounds like frantic wings against the delicate skin. “Beau . . .”

My cock thickens, and I part my legs to make room, drawing her eyes. They press shut, then flutter open again, her pupils blown as she takes me in.

“You want me to do it here?” I ask thickly. “Open you up and see where you’re all pink and pretty? Right here, where anyone could walk in?”

My finger trails down the line of her throat, then along her collarbone, following the low collar of her dress. My fingertip grazes the tops of her breasts, and she trembles.

“Does it make you wet? Thinking about me spilling inside that sweet pussy of yours? You want me to take you bare?” I run my other hand up the inside of her thigh, and her legs part so eagerly that I need to adjust myself. “Do you want me to fill you up? Or do you want me to paint those pretty breasts?”

Eden’s breath is snared by a moan as I taste her lips with the barest brush of my tongue. “I’m askin’ as your doctor, pet.”

And as if a whirlwind had blown through the room, I feel her arousal snuff out. She stiffens under me, but I’m already pulling back, searching her face.

“What’s the matter?” I ask gently. “Talk to me, darlin’.”

She closes her legs, eyes averted, and slowly pulls the fallen strap of her dress back over her shoulder, not speaking.

Finally, she asks, “What do you see me as, Beau?”

“See you as? What do you mean?” I reach out to touch her hand, and she pulls back, out of reach.

My stomach drops as I realize I’ve hit her somewhere soft.

Her eyes meet mine, soft and serious. “What is my role here?”

I hesitate a moment too long, trying to work out what answer she’s wanting here. “You’re here for us. So we can keep you safe.”

I know I got it wrong when her shoulders square.

“Where were you and Dom the other day? What happened during your ‘scuffle’?” She purses her lips. “What aren’t you telling me?”