Mastered by Malone (Haven, Texas 6)

Yeah, that last one really got to him. Because while there was a core of steel at the heart of her—she couldn’t have gotten through what she had without it—there was also an air of fragility about her. He didn’t do fragile. Or needy. Not that she clung in any way. Or demanded anything of him, which for some weird reason pissed him off. But he felt a need to provide for her.

Obligation. Responsibility. Fragile.

He needed to get that tattooed on his brain. He left her panties on. That was just one step too far. Okay, it might be argued that he’d already stepped way over that line, but it was a last line of defense.

He turned her around. She held an arm over her breasts, keeping her bra pressed against them.

“I can wash myself,” she told him quietly.

“All right.”

He saw a flare of surprise in her eyes. He kept a close eye on her. He didn’t want her keeling over on him. She slowly reached for some gel and half-heartedly rubbed it over herself, keeping one arm over her breasts.

He sighed and turned his back. “Wash yourself properly. You have thirty seconds before I turn back around.

“O-okay.”

He waited, listening to the sounds coming from behind him and took that moment to try and calm himself. He needed a trip to the club. Hell, he’d spent more time at the club these last two weeks that he had in the last four months.

When he turned, she had her bra in one hand, her arm back over her breasts. She was swaying again, and he knew she was going to crash.

Yeah, the club was out tonight when she was in this state.

/> “I’m sorry to be such a nuisance, Malone.”

“I’m used to dealing with nuisances,” he replied.

She frowned up at him, a hint of red entering her pale cheeks. That was better. He turned away to hide the grin trying to form. Teasing her was fun.

Teasing her? Was that what he was doing? He never teased anyone.

“Thanks a lot,” she muttered as he turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, quickly grabbing a dry towel. He held it out to her. She quickly took it while he turned away to get another towel. When he turned back, the towel was wrapped around her, her panties and bra in her hand. He took them and threw them into the hamper.

“You’re welcome.”

She huffed out an irritated breath. “You know, sometimes I can’t tell if you’re really obtuse or just trying to annoy me.”

“Come on. Time for bed. You’re exhausted.” And he was willing to bet that headache was getting worse.

“Okay, sure.”

Yep, she was really gone. Her eyelids were drooping. He took her hand and led her out into his bedroom. When he stopped, she did the same and just stood there. He searched through one of his drawers and pulled out a T-shirt, popping it over her head then pulling the towel down. He turned down the bed.

“In you go.”

“Into your bed?” She looked up at him quizzically, although she didn’t appear alarmed or like she was going to bolt. Definitely out of it.

“Yes, Mia. Into my bed.” He made his voice deliberately hard. She needed rest and he wasn’t fucking around with her anymore. He was fully prepared to tie her to the bed if necessary. Although probably not a good idea considering what she’d been through.

Fortunately, she didn’t argue, just climbed up into his huge bed and settled down on her side, facing him. She drew her legs up to her chest and held them there. He didn’t like that she had curled up into a defensive position.

He grabbed some underwear, in concession to his bedmate since he liked to sleep naked.

“Baby, you got any painkillers for that headache?”

“Yes, in the top drawer in my bathroom.”

“All right, I’ll be back in a minute. You stay right where you are.”