Slay (Storm MC 4)

“My father.”

She sucked in a breath. “Fuck.”

“It’s okay. He couldn’t walk once I was finished with him.”

Her eyes widened. “Jesus, Donovan.”

I placed my hand under her chin and tilted her face to mine. “I like you calling me that,” I whispered.

She smiled. “I love your name,” she said, and fuck if that didn’t hit my sweet spot.

Moving to grab some ice, she placed it in a plastic bag and wrapped it in a towel. She handed it to me. “Lie on the bed and put that on the bruises. I’m gonna get some painkillers.”

I did as she said and placed the ice to my ribs. Fuck, the pain was intense. But fucking worth it.

She came back with pills and water.

I didn’t take my eyes off her.

She fucking amazed me.

After she had me sorted out with ice and painkillers, she gently moved onto the bed. I was lying on my back with my arms by my side, and I moved one arm out across the pillow so she could rest her head on my shoulder.

She hesitated. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t hurt me, baby. Come here.”

Something crossed her face.

“What was that?” I asked.

“What?”

“That look on your face just then.”

Her eyes came to mine and she held me there. “I like it when you call me baby.”

Fuck.

Fucking hell.

“Get here,” I growled, desire swirling in my gut.

She didn’t hesitate this time and came to me.

My arm went around her, and she curled herself into me.

“You look like you’ve been to hell and back,” she whispered against my skin.

“I’m still dealing with shit, Layla. I’m not gonna be an asshole and walk away again, but I need you to know it could get rough.”

“I can handle rough. But you’ve gotta let me in.”

“I’m barely keeping my shit together at the moment, and I have no fucking clue how to let someone in on that. I don’t even know if I want you having to deal with it,” I admitted, and then added, “Fuck, it’s like I’m in a million fucking pieces and I don’t even know where the fuck to start to fix it.”

She shifted so she was propped up on her elbow. “Donovan, sometimes you have to shatter to find strength, and sometimes you have to let someone in to help you put the pieces back together.”

I held my breath for a moment, and as I let it out, I cupped her cheek. “I don’t fucking deserve you.”