Trusting Love Read Online Free Page A

re-buttoning it. She didn’t dare mention that her side and left shoulder hurt from slamming against the driver’s side door.
    “Wait.”
    Nevin stopped her by gently taking her hand.
    “What’s this?” he asked, lifting her shirt from her waist.
    “Nothing. It’s just more bruising. I’m sure nothing is broken,” she protested, and he placed his hand on her knee. She tightened up. Carina had never felt so turned on by a man’s touch. It seemed Nevin and Jack had the ability to affect her.
    She didn’t want to accept this. She couldn’t. They were soldiers. All the brothers were, and Jack was a cop. Milton was Special Forces and an instructor at the dojo.
    She wasn’t stupid about how things worked around Repose. If she liked one, gave in to one, then she was giving in to all of them. It was so crazy how mixed up her emotions were. That instant fear having these men so close right now and touching her, seeing her exposed skin, and fearing their capabilities. On the other hand, with every touch, with every whisper or warm breath, inhale of their cologne, or gentle touch, she eased closer, wanting more, needing a connection of some sort. Was she a glutton for punishment? Was she making matters worse by pretending her past didn’t exist and that Steven and Collin wouldn’t find her?
    She started to wiggle off the examining table as she pressed Nevin’s hand away.
    He gripped her hips and she gasped, feeling worse than right after the accident. He towered over her. His hands were so large and capable, his muscles hard and his resourcefulness apparent. She was battered and bruised. It reminded her of when she was assaulted. The pain went on for days. How easily she imagined Nevin or Jack striking her like Steven and Collin had. She winced and tried pushing past him when her leg hit the table.
    “Carina, hold on, honey. You’ll hurt yourself.”
    She shoved his hands off her hips.
    “No, I won’t, Dr. Cortland.” She referred to him by his last name on purpose.
    She buttoned her blouse with shaking fingers.
    “Carina, I want to be sure that you’re okay,” Jack said, brushing her hair from her shoulder and cheek, placing it away from her face so he could look down into her eyes.
    She shivered with a mix of arousal and trepidation. He was tall, six feet plus, with muscles and abilities that only made her think of the bad he could do instead of any good. Same with Nevin. For a doctor, he was fit, sexy, very soft-spoken and calm. Was it pretend? Could he be hiding the real personality? Steven and Collin were kind, too, but quickly turned violent when she refused to give them what they wanted.
    Jack held her gaze, caressed near the very bruised cheek bone that was throbbing right now. Her lips parted and he stared at them, looking like he would take what he wanted. He was older, more than likely used to seducing women, casting a spell with all his perfect qualities. She looked at his uniform. The badge, the tight, crisp dress shirt, holstered gun, handcuffs. Just like Steven and Collin, he probably had women begging to be his next lover. She felt the tears hit her eyes . I’ve been down this road before, and I’m still running. He isn’t right for me. None of them are.
    She stepped to the side and cringed from the move but held her ground. She continued to button the last two buttons on her blouse.
    “Carina, do we scare you?” Nevin asked and she looked up to see them both staring at her. Jack’s eyes were squinted like he already knew she would lie. It made her gut clench with guilt. She had to be smart, though.
    “Let me make something perfectly clear. I’m not your responsibility, or your concern. My injuries are bruises. Things could have been worse but they aren’t. Please, just leave me alone. I’ll be fine.”
    She walked over to take her purse, hiding her discomfort.
    “Carina, you are our concern and our responsibility. Whether you’re ready to accept it or not,” Jack said to her