Hero by Julia Sykes Page A

in a tone that didn’t rumble across my skin?
    “Hi,” I said, my voice soft and oddly shy.
    I’m just feeling guilty for being mean to him, I reasoned. Considering how kind he’d been to me after the ordeal at Euphoria today, I’d come to realize that I’d treated him unfairly.
    I drew in a breath and steadied myself. When I spoke again, my voice was clear and even. “Listen, Dex. I’m sorry I was so rude yesterday. After Brighton Beach.”
    He inclined his head in acceptance of my apology. “It’s okay. I’m sorry I upset you.” The significance he placed on the last let me know he wasn’t referring to dragging me out of the Russian café. He was talking about getting an erection when we sparred.
    “You see?” Carina said brightly. “That’s all cleared up. I knew you two would get along.”
    My own expression of disbelief was mirrored on Dex’s face. Did Carina really think she was being at all subtle about pushing us together? Or did she simply not care about subtlety?
    Thankfully, I realized that Dex’s matching consternation meant he wasn’t interested in me, either. That put me at ease.
    I gave Dex a wide, genuine smile. “I don’t see any reason why we can’t be friends.”
    He returned my smile. “Friends, then.”
    Carina huffed her annoyance.
    “Something wrong, little sub?” Kennedy asked, his arm curving around her shoulders as soon as he joined our group. He eyed Dex. “Dexter isn’t upsetting you, is he?”
    “You know I hate when you call me that, Ken,” he said, his voice harsher than I’d ever heard it.
    “It’s your name, isn’t it?” Kennedy drawled.
    God, the man was an ass. Couldn’t he see Dex was upset?
    “Kennedy’s just teasing him,” Carina said quickly, reading my indignation on his behalf.
    “Well, I don’t appreciate it,” Dex said, his tone still rough with irritation.
    “Dex,” I interjected, deciding to come to his rescue. “I’d like to talk to you privately, if you don’t mind.” I tilted my head toward the seating area, indicating that I was giving him an out.
    “I’d like that.” He took my hand in his, long fingers enveloping my palm.
    I blinked, surprised at the sudden contact, but he led me away before I could react further.
    “You two kids have fun!” Carina called after us.
    Dex shook his head and continued to tug me along beside him, putting distance between the older couple and us. When we reached an unoccupied plush leather couch, he sat. I lowered myself down beside him. He didn’t really give me a choice to do otherwise, because he hadn’t let go of my hand.
    I glanced up at him to find him watching me with unexpected intensity. “I really am sorry about yesterday,” he said. “I didn’t mean to scare you. My body just reacted. I should have controlled myself better. I want you to know that I would never do anything to hurt you.”
    Something deep inside my chest quivered, and my eyes suddenly burned. I blinked quickly, alarmed to realize I was close to tearing up.
    “You didn’t hurt me,” I said in the coolest tone I could manage. “I’m fine.”
    He straightened his impressive shoulders, and he suddenly seemed to loom over me. “I’m not going to push you or pry. But know that I’m fully aware that you’re not fine. I saw what you did in Euphoria today, and you were very brave to talk to Stewart like that. I know it can’t have been easy for you.”
    “I don’t know what you mean.” I tried to shrug off the significance of his words.
    He kept me fixed in his level gaze. “Don’t try to pull any bullshit with me. If we’re going to be in the field together, I have to be able to trust you.”
    I cut my eyes away, unable to bear the weight of his glacial blue stare. Strong fingers curled beneath my chin, redirecting my face to his.
    “I don’t need to know your secrets,” he said. “But I do need you to be honest with me. Tell me the truth, Chloe.”
    “I’m not fine,” I admitted on a whisper.