Crowed (Team Zero #2) - Rina Kent Page 0,23

get over how broad and tall he is – even while crouching. And all that size of a man is washing a dog. My dog.

I catch a glimpse of Crow’s furrowed brows, seeming to take the task way too seriously. I stifle a smile, unable to believe my eyes.

Charlotte leaps out of the bathtub. A splash of water hits Crow’s face and the front of his T-shirt. I’m momentarily distracted by how the cloth sticks to his toned abdomen. I only rip my gaze when my dog jumps at me in all her wet glory.

I crouch and catch her in my arms. The water drips on my shirt. I retrieve a towel from the side of the bathtub and dry her off.

Crow points a finger at Charlotte. “I told you not to be a bitch and to stay put.”

In response, she huffs and tucks herself in my arms.

Crow narrows his eyes on her, and she stares back, unyielding.

I burst out in laughter at their absurd exchange. What the hell is wrong with these two?

And why am I... laughing? It’s been forever since I last laughed.

“Glad this is all too funny for you.” Crow’s icy gaze falls on me as he tries to dry his wet T-shirt with a towel. Judging from his murderous expression, it isn’t working. Good. The view is too nice to be dried.

Hell. Where did that thought come from?

“And here I thought you only smile to Dr Curly.” The ice is still there. If anything, he’s glaring full on now.

“Dr Curly?” I continue drying Charlotte, and she woofs softly in my arms. “Ah. You mean Xavier?”

He huffs. “Of course he has a pussy name that fits his hair style.”

“Hey!” I start to yell then stop. “Wait. You saw me last night?”

“Yes, I saw you.” He’s still glaring. What is wrong with him?

“Why are you roaming in town? Aren’t you afraid the police will find you?”

His expression softens a little and he appears taken aback. “Would you care?”

“Why would I?” But even as I say that, something tugs inside me.

“Good choice,” he says in a neutral voice that bothers me. Does he or doesn’t he want people to care about him?

Charlotte barks at him. He narrows his intense blue eyes at her. “Don’t be ungrateful. I just went through all the trouble of bathing you.”

I smile. “Who told you to bathe her?”

“Let me see, perhaps it has to do with the dust that turned her fur white instead of grey.”

I wince. It couldn’t be more than two weeks since I last bathed her, right?

Since Maman’s death, time has blended together. I can’t be entirely sure of what I did or didn’t do.

“Thanks,” I murmur, ruffling Charlotte’s hair back. I’ve been such a shitty owner to my dog.

“I didn’t hear that.” I catch the smirk in Crow’s voice even without looking up.

Connard.

“I said thank you...” What starts like a shout drifts into a whisper as I lift my head and stare at him. He’s discarded the wet T-shirt, remaining in black trousers.

I swallow, my hold faltering on both Charlotte and the towel. I don’t even notice when my dog jumps from my arms.

The wound is still angry against his skin, but it doesn’t hide the hardened muscles. The tattoos shine under the morning light, casting a shadow on the little birds escaping from the biggest raven’s beak. My fingers itch to trace those tattoos and find out the meaning behind them. With all those scars marring his taut muscles, he appears like a warrior.

A strong, massive warrior.

He’s a bastard indeed, but a beautiful one at that.

“Like what you see? I sure do.”

His amused, wicked tone rips me back to reality.

I almost slap myself. Oh la la. Ogling?

Real classy, Eloise.

When I finally meet his gaze, it isn’t focused on mine. I follow his field of vision, and heat smothers my face. The front of my white shirt is soaking wet, outlining my bra and half-naked breasts.

I jerk to my feet, covering myself with Charlotte’s towel. If my cheeks could explode, they probably would right now. “Pervert!”

He raises an eyebrow, not even trying to hide what he’s been doing. “So you’re allowed to look, but I’m not? What type of double standard is that?”

“That’s not what I’ve been doing. I was... was...” Shut up! Shut up! You’ll make it worse. “I was checking on the wound!”

Ugh. Why couldn’t I just shut the hell up?

“Oh?” He advances towards me, and it takes all my willpower to keep my ground and not step