Free The Way With You (The Way #2) by Anne Mercier Page A

admits, the love shining in his eyes.
    I get the pricklies at the back of my nose and I fight them back. I don't want to cry—not with a broken nose and not over Cam. Not again.
    "I need a little time to get well and then I'll talk to him. I'm not strong enough right now," I confess.
    "Babe," Bash murmurs. "C'mere."
    I very slowly move over to him and he gently lifts me onto his lap, tucking the blanket around me, urging me to rest my head on his shoulder, and wrapping his arms around me.
    Safe.
    "What?" he asks.
    "Safe," I say softly. "With you I feel safe."
    He kisses me on the lips—and lingers. My breath catches. Holy smokes. His lips are so soft and he's kissing me so tender. I'm positive if I wasn't hurting so much going on in this moment, I'd be so aroused I would embarrass myself.
    He gives me one last peck on the lips then thrusts the glass at me. " Now drink the rest of your protein smoothie."
    "Tyrant."
    He gives me a very sexy wink.
    Oh boy.
     
     

ten
     
    Sometimes you know when you wake up there's something bad going on around you. Right now is one of those times.
    I'm enveloped in strong arms. A long, lean male body is spooned against me. Sebastian's breath is fanning my hair a bit. If he's here, then what's the problem?
    "What the fuck is going on, Olivia?" Cam barks, startling me so much I sit upright, then scream as excruciating pain stabs every part of my body—at least it feels like it. I bite my lip to stop myself from crying and force myself to take a breath.
    It hurts. Oh, God, how it hurts. Just a breath. He made me that happen. More pain from Cam.
    "C-Cam," I choke out, biting back the pain.
    "What the fuck?" Bash shouts, sitting up.
    Alexa comes running into the room, her eyes wide, her gaze shifting between Cam and Sebastian.
    Oh boy.
    "L-lex. M-medication?" I ask.
    She nods
    "Hurry. Please ."
    In a flash she's back and I'm downing the pills with water.
    Bash scrubs a hand over his face. "Christ, man, you didn't have to scare the shit out of her. Think about what she just went through," he growls at Cam.
    "What the hell is he doing in your bed, Liv?" Cam asks, ignoring Bash.
    "We fell asleep," I say simply, breathing through the pain I'm still feeling in my ribs and my arm that I leaned on.
    "And?"
    Lex shoves Cam. "She's been having nightmares, asshole. Sebastian has been kind enough to stay with us so she feels safe."
    "In her bed ?" Cam sneers.
    Now my temper rises. "What the hell difference does it make to you? You're not here . You're a phone call." He flinches at that. Good. "And on top of that, you act as if there's something sexual going on. Have you seen me? Can you imagine me doing anything sexual right now? I. Am. Broken!!!" I scream at him.
    His eyes widen in surprise.
    "I am sick of this shit, Cameron. You're not here because you're too busy so I'm relying on my best friends to help me through this. If you have a problem with that, then too fucking bad. I need them— him ," I say, pointing to Bash whose jaw is ticking.
    "Once again you're thinking of yourself," Lex says to Cam, shaking her head. "Coming in here, getting all jealous and roaring at your girlfriend who was finally getting some sleep. Do you know how much sleep she's gotten since she got home?"
    Cam just stands there.
    "Hardly any," Lex informs him. "She's either in too much pain or having nightmares—and who can blame her? So don't go getting all possessive and jealous when we—her best friends—are the ones doing what she needs to help her feel safe."
    "I'm here now," Cam states.
    "At one in the morning? What good is that?" she scoffs. "Big brother, you're fucking up and you're doing it majorly." With that, she walks out of the room.
    He runs a frustrated hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Liv. It was just a shock seeing you and Smith curled up like that. I didn't know what was going on, so I jumped to conclusions."
    "Cam. I told you on the phone earlier I was having issues sleeping. You only had a few minutes to