Free Frayed Rope by Harlow Stone Page B

a grown woman and, pride set aside, crawling home proves nothing right now other than the fact it would make me look like an idiot.
     
    I give him the go ahead with a nod and notice him staring at my neck again. It’s not hideous anymore, but purplish colored marks still mar the side of it.
     
    I always figured if anyone asked I could say it was from a seat belt in a car accident, but in light of what happened to my family, that would make me feel like an ungrateful lying bitch. I don’t bother to explain and Ryder doesn’t bother to ask.
     
    He moves to my side and puts one arm around my back and one under my legs before lifting me up. An ugly grunt sounds through my gritted teeth at the shock of pain that runs through my leg. I wasn’t expecting the bridal carry, but damn if I can walk on one leg and use him as a human crutch.
     
    “Sorry,” he says as he stands up.
     
    His morning scruff is in front of my face. He smells freshly showered so I’m assuming he chose to bypass the shaving part. Not that I mind. It suits him. He takes a deep breath that I assume is from exertion, but I quickly realize he’s inhaling my hair that’s in its usual untamed bird’s nest atop my head with wisps flying in every which direction.
     
    I reach my hand up to smooth my hair back from blowing in his face.
     
    “Coconut,” he says.
     
    I don’t answer or play dumb because I know what he’s referring to. I simply hold onto his arms and try to stare at the water instead of his handsome face. It’s times like this when I miss my old self.
     
    The old me.
     
    Jayne.
     
    She wouldn’t think twice about kissing him right now, flirting back or making the first move.
     
    She’d dive in head first, going after what she wanted, not looking back.
     
     
    Unfortunately Elle Davidson has too many telling marks on her body, so she needs to stay under the radar for as long as possible instead of shedding her clothes with the good looking man next door.
     
    We reach my deck and he carries me up the steps. Norm is wagging her tail with lips curled up in that sweet smile only dogs can do.
     
    “Hold on,” his whiskey voice says from above me.
     
    I reach my arms around his wide shoulders and do as he says.
     
    He moves his arm away from my back. I reach up to put my arms around his neck so I don't fall. He uses his free hand to pull the screen door open and carries me into the house. I loosen my arms as he squeezes me tighter, leaning down to put me on the sofa.
     
    He lingers for a moment but not in a creepy way. More so in a way that if I were more open he would no doubt be following me down on said couch right now. Reluctantly he slowly releases his arms from their hold and stands.
     
    “I’ll get you some ice.”
     
    He turns away from me and heads toward the kitchen.
     
    “Any zip lock bags?”
     
    Those black eyes staring back at me from the other side of the island are wreaking havoc on my womanhood.
     
    “To your right, second drawer from the top.”
     
    He busies himself in the freezer and comes back with the ice-filled bag wrapped in a dishtowel. His hands move toward my foot to remove my shoe again. The marks left on my ankles aren’t nearly as bad as my wrists. They’re barely noticeable, and with the grey sky and lack of lights on in the house I doubt he’ll notice.
     
    My shoe comes off, followed by my sock. I’d object to his help but the thought of leaning forward to ice my own ankle and calf, let alone getting the damn shoe off, is painful to even think about.
     
    “I’d suggest seeing a Doctor to get it x-rayed and wrapped, but I have a feeling you’d decline.”
     
    He draws his eyes up from my foot to look at me.
     
    I regard him with what I hope is a sincerity before I reply.
     
    “We both know nothing’s broken. And aside from pain medication that I would refuse to take, I’m sure it’s nothing a few days of rest won’t cure.”
     
    “Your probably right Elle, but it should