Page 28 of Breaking Him

“That bothers you?”

I stared back. “What?”

“That Kyle will talk about what he saw here?”

I shook my head. “I don’t want them talking about you like that.”

“Is that why you said it was a lie, what I did? Why you said we’re not doing anything wrong?” His body was still stiff. “Who are you trying to convince, Abigail? Him or you?”

“No, that’s not it.” I hugged myself tighter, swallowing the lump forming in my throat. “No…the things he was saying about you…I didn’t want them talking about you like that, I didn’t want…”

“I don’t care what they say about me.” He moved in, stopping right in front of me. “I don’t care what Kyle fucking Harris thinks about me. It’s only your opinion that matters.” He crossed his arms. “Why were you standing in front of me?”

I blinked up at him. “I…well, I didn’t want…” I trailed off, not sure how to answer.

“Did you think I’d hurt him?”

“No!”

“So you think I need you to protect me, that I need you to fight my battles, that I’m too weak or brainless to defend myself against a man like that?”

“No.” I shook my head and stepped closer. “Of course not.”

He stepped back, denying me, not letting me touch him. It was the worst kind of punishment he could ever dish out.

“I may not talk much to the folks in town, but that’s because they’re not worth the energy. He isn’t worth the energy. I’m not simple or slow…or goddamn pathetic.”

“I know that…”

“I may not have fucked a woman before you, darlin’, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a man. It doesn’t mean I’m not capable of looking after you the way you need to be looked after.” He planted his hands on his hips, letting out a rough breath. “I sure as fuck don’t need to stand behind my woman when things get ugly.”

My mouth dropped open. “Eli…”

“There was no reason for you to try to justify to that asshole what we were doing.” His eyes locked on mine. “Don’t you trust me?”

“Of course I do.”

I tried to step forward again, but he stopped me with a look. Then, shaking his head, he turned and walked away.

“Elijah, please.”

He stopped a short distance from me but didn’t look back. “I need to cool down.”

How the hell had I messed this up so badly? “I don’t think of you like that. God, Elijah…you’re the strongest man I’ve ever met.”

He stayed rooted to the spot for several long seconds, then strode away.

I wanted to go after him, make him understand, but I wouldn’t be able to, not yet anyway. A truck was heading our way, dust flying out behind it. Our possible new client. This guy could help save the ranch if he liked what he saw, if he wanted to make a deal.

I just hoped I could get through it without falling apart.

…

“I’m looking forward to doing business with you both.”

Mr. Lawrence shook my hand, then Eli’s, clapping him on the shoulder.

I smiled at the older man. “You won’t be disappointed.”