Page 149 of Break Me

A small smile tugs at her mouth. “You’re very bossy today.”

“That’s because you’re sitting on my workbench looking like you might pass out.”

“I am not.”

“You absolutely are.”

She shakes her head but slides forward anyway, swinging her legs toward the floor. For a second, everything looks normal. But the second her boots touch the concrete, the color drains from her face so quickly that my stomach tightens.

Her hand catches the edge of the workbench. I'm beside her before she can say a word, one hand settling at her waist as the other closes gently around her arm.

She leans into me, her eyes slipping shut. Her fingers tighten against the bench while she breathes slowly through her nose.

Around us, the clubhouse carries on as if nothing has changed. The radio rolls into another song. Somewhere down the hall, Knox's voice rises, followed by a burst of laughter from one of the guys.

Raven doesn't seem to hear any of it.

I brush my thumb lightly across her side. "Talk to me."

She takes one more careful breath before opening her eyes. "Just got a little dizzy," she says softly.

Her voice is steady, but I can feel the effort beneath it where my hand rests against her arm. I stay where I am until the color begins to return to her face and the tension slowly leaves her shoulders.

"Better?"

She nods. “Better.”

"Barely,” I reply.

A faint smile touches her mouth. "Barely still counts."

It should make me smile.

It doesn't.

“Come on.” I lace my fingers through hers. "I’m taking you home."

We start toward the front doors, my hand never leaving hers.

"I thought we were getting dinner."

"We are." She glances up at me. "Just not at a restaurant."

A small crease forms between her brows. "I can still go out."

"I know."

She searches my face for a long second, weighing whether to argue. Then her shoulders soften. "Home sounds nice."

Outside, the bike waits exactly where we left it, the late afternoon sun glinting off the chrome.

I stop.

Raven follows my gaze, then looks back at me.

Neither of us says anything.

An hour ago, I wouldn't have thought twice about putting her on the back. Now all I can see is her hand catching the edge of the workbench. Her eyes closing. The room tilting beneath her.