Lachlan (Dangerous Doms #5) - Jane Henry Page 0,62
would make her toes curl about men that looked like innocents and the havoc they wrought. My own parents lie in graves because of people they trusted, I’m told. But I don’t argue with her.
“Let’s go back and see if we can find it,” she says.
But I know there won’t be any phone on the ground. The bastard took it.
I hate the knowledge that someone’s fucking playing with us. I hate suspecting anyone and everything of betrayal. There’s no rest when you’re in the Clan. Nothing but constant vigilance.
Aisling enters the cafe as we’re leaving.
“Tried to call you,” she says. “We need to talk.”
She looks to me and then raises her brows and jerks her head toward the door, like she wants to speak to Fiona alone.
Fiona looks to me. “Can we have a minute of privacy, Lachlan?”
“No. Anything she has to say to you she can say in front of me.”
Fiona purses her lips, but Aisling rolls her eyes. “And what if I want to talk to her about ordering a bra or when my period’s starting? Hmm?”
I shrug. “Nothing I haven’t heard before.”
Her eyes narrow on me. “What if I want to talk about the dildo I’m ordering or how I masturbated last night while watching bare-knuckled fighting on TV?”
I shrug again. “Have at it. Would be entertaining.”
Fiona sighs, but she doesn’t look too put out.
“Just a little privacy is all we need,” Aisling says.
“Privacy’s overrated, and I’m here to protect her. Maybe she shouldn’t have a friend who wants to fuck with her safety.”
Aisling glares.
I stand my ground and glare right back at her.
“Fine,” Aisling finally says. She flushes a little when we walk toward the garden. “Ok, ok, I’m giving him crap but girl, I would do anything for a man who looked at me like that. Anyway, I wanted to ask you if you’d come with me to get a tattoo.”
Seriously, this is what was so top secret?
Fiona’s eyes come to mine, and my belly warms at the look she’s giving me, silently asking for permission. I shake my head. She takes a step over to me and whispers in my ear. “I’ve wanted your initials on my hip. It’s like a thing.”
I lean over and whisper back, “The only marks you’ll bear will be mine. Also a thing.”
I can see her nipples harden straight through her tiny top. She swallows hard, and her pupils dilate.
“Not this time,” she tells Aisling.
Aisling looks put out, but doesn’t argue. Good. “Are you coming back to the dorm at all?”
“No,” I respond for her.
Aisling sighs.
She turns to Fiona. “Do you do everything he tells you?”
Fiona rolls her eyes. “No.”
It’s true. She likes the occasional spanking.
Aisling finally takes her leave, and we walk back to where she fell.
“Does she always pressure you like that?”
“No, only when I’m being watched by an overly protective barbarian,” she says, but she’s grinning. “Is that right?” I tug her a little closer. “I can be a hell of a lot more protective and barbaric than this.”
“She’s a good friend, Lach. She knows everything there is about me and still loves me. She has listened to me all these years. She’ll come around. I think she just had it in her head that when I came here, I’d be spending every minute of every day with her.” She sighs.
I squeeze her hand. “You alright, Fiona?”
She doesn’t respond. “No phone,” she says with a sigh. “And I have to go to my next class.”
“Fine,” I say reluctantly. “We’ll have to get you a new phone, and I’ll take you to class after we grab something quick to eat.”
She’s silent and sullen while we eat in the cafe, and leaves for class without a backward glance. I blame her friend, but something else is at play.
Is she too young for me? Have I taken her away from the life that she needs right now? I know I’m here for her protection, but I’m afraid the very fear I had about her being with me is coming to light. I don’t want her not to be able to have her friends and her dreams. But if she’s with me, I won’t let her make reckless decisions, either.
Keenan calls while I’m waiting for Fiona.
“What’s the story, brother?”
“Nothing much new here,” I tell him. I lower my voice. “Afraid I’m slipping, though. Some fucking bloke nearly knocked her over today and I had my hand on my weapon before I realized what I was doing.”