Free Unbroken by Maisey Yates Page B

wincing when a coiled-up spring dug into her butt. She bounced lightly on the lumpy mattress. “You really are going to be cursing my name after a couple of nights of this.”
    â€œYou don’t give me enough credit, Jameson.”
    â€œYou haven’t sat on the bed yet.”
    He walked across the room, his gait more uneven now than before they’d climbed the stairs. It made her chest hurt, made her regret her brattiness even more. He sat down next to her, his fingers curved around the edge of the mattress.
    He bounced up and down like she’d done and cast her a sideways glance. “Yeah, this sucks. Did your grandma put her enemies up on this bed?”
    Amber laughed. “They don’t normally have guests. I think my bedroom was the good guest room, but they moved me into it and . . . I don’t think we’ve had anyone stay here since. Surly teenager put a cramp in their social life, I guess.”
    â€œYou were pretty surly.
Are
pretty surly.”
    â€œShush,” she said, pinching his bicep and not managing to grab hold of much. He didn’t have pinchable flesh, that man. He was too rock-solid.
    Suddenly she became very aware of the fact that they were sitting on a bed together. And it was hard to breathe again. Particularly with his words from earlier hanging between them still, like an unwanted cobweb that needed to be swept away.
    Some people might think you were asking for a demonstration.
    No. She didn’t want a demonstration. Though, for some reason, she was having a hard time looking away from his mouth. His mouth was one of the most beautiful things on earth, in her humble opinion. Those lips, curved into a smile, had always meant that her day was going to get better, just because he was there. Pressed into a firm line, they presented a challenge to get them to curve upward.
    And then, just aesthetically speaking, they were a sight to behold. The lower lip was fuller, the upper lip dipping down in the middle, making the kind of dent she was sure some women fantasized about sticking their tongues in.
    Not her. Because he was her BFF and ew.
    Yes. Ew. That was her official stance on tonguing Cade’s lip dip.
    â€œYou’re certainly prickly,” he said. “Like a porcupine.”
    â€œDon’t forget it. I’m a badass mofo. If I get you with my spines you’re going to be filled with regret and woe.”
    â€œI think I got hit by one already.”
    She frowned, a sharp pain lancing her chest. Man, she felt like a bitch. “Sorry. I’m too pointy sometimes. I know.”
    â€œNot usually with me.”
    â€œI know. But you’ve been Super Cade more times in a row than I’m used to.”
    â€œYou’ve been in jeopardy more often than normal.”
    â€œUntil Lex Luthor ties me up in a warehouse somewhere, I don’t think you have to worry too much.”
    â€œIf I’m ever in jeopardy, you have my full permission to save me,” he said. “How’s that for equality?”
    â€œYou’ll never admit to needing me,” she said.
    â€œYou never admit to needing me either.”
    â€œNo. You’re a master at unsolicited help.”
    His expression sobered. “In all honesty, Amber, you’ve done a lot for me. I don’t like to talk about when my mom died. And I didn’t want to be around anyone when it happened because . . .”
    She nodded and bit the inside of her cheek. She knew why. Because he’d been raw in a way no eighteen-year-old guy wanted to be in front of anyone. Because his grief had been a living monster that had picked him up in its jaws and shaken him like a rag doll.
    And he hadn’t wanted anyone to see. But he’d let her see.
    â€œYeah, well,” she said, clearing her throat. “I’m a judgment-free zone when it comes to emotional disasters because I’m such a mess.”
    â€œA surly mess,” Cade said,