The Vessel - Jenika Snow Page 0,24

across her profile.

She had a delicate face, feminine and fragile features. Her lips were full, her nose tiny, a little bit turned up. Her cheekbones were high, her lashes dark and long. My fingers itched to caress her skin. I knew her flesh was soft, softer than anything I ever touched before.

I bet every part of her was just as soft.

I shifted it on the seat, telling myself over and over again not to get aroused. That was the last thing I needed to happen in this moment.

I took another drink of my bourbon and rested the glass on the armrest of the chair, leaning back against the leather and just watching her. She was staring at the fire for only a second before she turned her attention to me, her eyes taking on this sexy, drowsy expression under the fire light. I couldn’t help but look at the bruise on her face again. It had been at the forefront of my mind this entire time, but I hadn’t pressed it.

Not until now.

I needed to know what happened so I could make it right.

I tipped my chin toward her. “Are you going to tell me what happened?” I kept my voice low, gentle even. I didn’t want to seem like I was trying to force her hand in anything, make her tell me what happened. But I was arrogant enough to know that I would find out how she got the mark no matter what.

She shifted on the couch a little and cleared her throat, and I could see my question put her on the spot. It wasn’t my intention, but I had to know the circumstances surrounding it. That was just the type of man I was.

“It’s really nothing.” She licked her lips, and I could still see her nervousness. It was like this extra person in the room with us. “Uh, I—I actually gave it to myself accidentally.” I felt my brows rise in surprise before I pulled them down low in confusion.

“You gave it to yourself?”

She snorted in faux amusement. “Well, not purposely, obviously.” She gave an anxious laugh, and I could see she was embarrassed by the pinkness on her cheeks. She cleared her throat again and didn’t speak for a minute, but I didn’t press, because I knew she’d eventually tell me. “There were issues with my aunt and mom’s landlord.” She stared at the fire again. “He was less than amicable about helping me, in helping my family.” She glanced down at the wine glass, and I saw the way her throat worked as she swallowed.

I felt my anger and annoyance rise at the fact that some asshole gave her a hard time.

“My aunt and mom have a little raised bed in the backyard of the place they rent from this asshole. He told them they had to take it down because it would ruin the patio foundation, which is a load of shit.” She brought her wine glass up and finished it off. “I went to his house to see if we could come to some agreement. He went to close the door after giving me a hard time. I was stupid enough to try to stop him, and I fell forward and smacked my face on the edge of the screen door.” Elise pointed to the side of her face. “And that’s how I got this stupid bruise. So I meant when I said I gave it to myself.” She shook her head as she smiled.

I felt my anger rise over the fact that if it weren’t for some fucking bastard messing with her and giving Elise a hard time, she never would have gotten hurt. So yeah, she may have gotten it accidentally, but I placed all that damn blame on the fucking landlord.

I’d find out who he was and where he was at, and then I’d pay him a little visit so he’d know what he was up against.

“I should probably be going,” she said and placed her wine glass on the coffee table and stood.

It was getting late, and I’d lost track of time as I enjoyed her company immensely. “You’re welcome to stay if you want.” I was desperate to have her close.

She seemed a bit surprised by my offer. “Thanks, but I hate traveling this late, so it’s best if I go now.”

I knew she didn’t have a car, and the very thought of her taking public transportation this late, with sick fuckers who could hurt her