Trusting Love Read Online Free Page B

firmly.
    She was shocked by his tone and the way he stood there resting one hand on the butt of his gun and the other on his hip, staring at her. It was like he was reading into her response to them. She needed to be more careful.
    She gave a soft smile that had him easing his hands off his hips and looking caught off guard.
    “I can assure you that I don’t need looking after. I take care of myself. I do, however, appreciate the care and concern. Thank you, Dr. Cortland.” She touched his hand and then quickly pulled away. Now Nevin was squinting at her.
    She looked back toward Jack.
    “I’ll need a ride home,” she said to him.
    Jack stepped closer and placed his hand on her hip and pulled her close.
    “I’m not leaving your side for a while. Until we know who tried hurting you.” He caressed her cheek and gripped her chin. She stared up into his eyes, wishing she wasn’t attracted to him. Knowing she needed to resist him and his brothers, yet yearning for happiness, for exactly what Antonia had with her men despite her past.
    He caressed her lower lip and began to press closer to her lips.
    “You feel it. We all do,” he said, and as she fought with whether or not to let him kiss her, and how badly she wanted to feel his lips against hers, Jack’s cell phone rang. He answered it, stepping aside, releasing her. Then he squinted his eyes and then widened them. He looked away from Carina and walked toward the door.
    “Are you certain? What do you need from me? Yes, definitely. We’ll take care of her. I will, and then I’ll meet the others.”
    He turned toward her.
    “Change of plans. Antonia is in trouble. Cesar said her ex showed up and took her. You need to be in a safe place.”
    She covered her mouth and gasped.
    “Oh, God, no.” She closed her eyes and immediately thought of what Antonia had told her about her ex, and what she shared with Antonia about Steven and Collin. She wasn’t safe, neither was Carina. This validated her need to stay strong and not give in to temptation with the Cortland men. She could never have happiness, could never be safe in any man’s arms. Not with Steven and Collin out there and more than likely looking for her to continue their plans of controlling her and making her their permanent woman, their possession.
    Carina opened her eyes and exhaled, trying to catch her breath. Her chest felt tight with that panicked, uncertain feeling she got whenever she awoke from a bad dream. This hadn’t been completely bad. No, it seemed after the past few weeks her mind wouldn’t let go of that night with Jack and Nevin and their care for her. Avoiding them, and even Jesse and Milton, was difficult to say the least.
    She ran her fingers through her hair and felt the tightness of her breasts, how hard her nipples felt, and she thought of them. She rubbed her face with her hands, feeling the tears she must have shed in her sleep. They were getting worse. Her longing to feel what it would be like to be held by one of the brothers was getting more powerful. Despite their intimidating personas, there was still that gut instinct that called to them. It was like deep down she knew she would be safe with Jesse, Jack, Nevin, and Milton, yet she knew she could never have a normal life. She was scarred deeply.
    No amount of reassurance from a man’s arms, from his kisses, from his possessive ways would take away the trouble she was still running from. It wasn’t fair. It sucked. It pissed her off that Steven and Collin controlled her from a distance. That was exactly what she was allowing.
    She couldn’t confide in them. She was raped, assaulted, used by her own boyfriend, and attacked in her bedroom. To keep them from hurting her further or breaking any bones, she had to cooperate. She closed her eyes and willed the memories away. Their hands gripping, pulling, scratching her body. How heavy Collin was lying over her, forcing her legs apart and taking from her body without her consent.