“Exactly. It took the wind right from under my wings. Sure, I was set to fight her and we were pretty pissed off at each other, but this isn’t the way it was supposed to end.” He pauses. “I needed time to sort everything out.”
“Did the police tell you more about the murders?”
He shakes his head. “My conclusion is either Legion didn’t pay his supplier or he pissed him off. Lauren just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. She drank hard, but never touched drugs. Sure, things change in people’s lives, but I just didn’t see it happening with Lauren.”
“I’m surprised the police wouldn’t give you more details.”
“As weird as it sounds, Lauren and I aren’t family. We were never married and we didn’t live together for very long. Heck, we weren’t even dating when she got pregnant. It was a real struggle to get her estate settled because of that. My only saving grace was the fact I was acting on behalf of her sole surviving family member.”
“Wow. I assume Naomi knows nothing about all of this?”
“No. She’s still the same happy little girl. Her bright smile makes me realize I have a lot to be grateful for. Despite everything, she’s still my responsibility… just the way it should be.”
“Thank God.”
“I was so stressed out the tragedy would get to her. For once, I appreciated all the noise in the media. The reelection of President McClory and the heroic way NYPD stopped a potential terror attack in New York overshadowed the murders. Legion’s fans mourned him, but Lauren’s death didn’t gather as much attention. The publicity team at the whiskey company did a good job at appeasing investors.”
“What a horrible story.”
“Yeah.”
We sit in silence for a few long seconds before he speaks again.
“I hate how I lost control of things in my life. How I lost you.”
His revelation tugs at my heart.
My mouth pulls up into a reluctant smile. “It was cruel not seeing you to all those weeks.”
A flirtatious glee flashes in his blue eyes.
“So you didn’t find another guy to tie you up and have his way with you?”
My lips break into a smile.
We’re back to being playful.
I offer him a one-shoulder shrug.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t get that, Donut Dominatrix,” he says.
“Why would I waste my time?”
“So you found the right guy?”
“Absolutely.”
“Things change between people when they don’t see each other for a while.”
“True,” I agree.
“Have things changed for you?”
I push my chair back and get up. With my eyes locked into his, I circle the table until I’m standing in front of him. Without asking for permission, I straddle his lap. “No, they haven’t,” I tell him. “What about you?”
“Nah. You had me at fanny pack.”
I tilt my head back and laugh uncontrollably.
“You still can’t get over that thing?” I say when I regain my composure.
“Do you blame me? I barely knew you and already you were inviting me to check out your goods. That challenge sealed your fate, cupcake.”
“Bless the fanny pack.”
His eyes crinkle. “Bless its power over me,” he laughs.
I join him.
“And to answer your question, no, nothing’s changed for me either, precious.”
“Really?”
“I still want you, Everly.”
I take his face in my hands and brush my lips against his. “I still want you too, Holt.”
“Good,” he whispers, pressing his mouth against mine. The gentle kiss becomes more demanding. More urgent. Each slip of tongue a little more intoxicating, until our tongues tangle in a familiar dance that already has me dripping. He fists my hair possessively, reminding me he has all the control.
I moan into his mouth.
Yes, God.
“Damn, your lips,” he growls, pulling away from me. “Are you going to get mad at me if I reveal my partner in crime has made it so that I can keep you prisoner up here until midday?”
I shake my head. “Unbelievable.”
“What can I say? I need to savor every inch of you. I have to make up for lost time.”
My body is tingling, my nipples harden with anticipation, aching for his mouth and his touch. It’s been too long.
“In that case, take me now, you beast of burden!”
“God, I missed your sense of humor,” he smiles, his eyes boring into mine. “You know why these past seven weeks have been so unforgiving?”
“Other than not eating my donuts and being able to laugh at my jokes?”
“Yeah, other than that.”
“My sparkling personality?”
“I think I’m falling for you.”
Huh?
“You what?” I ask.
“I’m falling for you, Everly,” he repeats. There’s so much desire in his eyes, I could combust in flames. “I know it sounds crazy because we haven’t known each other very long, but what we shared together… I want that in my life.”
Oh. My. God.
I’m speechless.
I blink at him furiously, wondering if this is a dream. It has to be. But nope, those magnetic blue eyes are still staring at me.
“I was miserable at the thought all this drama would keep me away longer,” he says. “I hated not being with you.”
I still can’t speak.
I’m literally at a loss for words.
“Maybe you don’t feel the sa—”
I snap out of it.
“I do!” I blurt out.
He chuckles.
I quiet my beating heart long enough to say, “I didn’t think I could wish for more.”
“You can.” He kisses my temple. “You’re allowed to because I want more too. A lot more. I want all of you, precious.”
Mother of God.
CHAPTER 36
Holt
The way Everly’s gorgeous brown eyes heat beneath my stare erases the guilt that’s gripped me since I last held her in my arms. The lust and vulnerability I read in them is unsettling. It’s written all over her beautiful face how glad she is to see me. And fuck, it makes me want her even more.
“Is this the part of the story where you drop the gentleman act?” a mischievous—and sexy-as-hell—smile teases her lips.
I reach for her ponytail and play around with it until I release her beautiful cascade of colorful hair. She shakes her head, allowing her gorgeous mane to drape her shoulders.
“You ready for that?” I run my finger along the hollow of her throat, loving the way her breath hitches.
“I’ve been ready since I saw you standing at my door.”
“I’m warning you, you might walk funny for the rest of the day.”
“That’s a small price to pay to feel you inside me.”
“Fuck,” I growl.
I lift her in my arms and stride to her bedroom. I drop her on her feet and sit on the bed.
“Strip, precious.”
I don’t have to ask twice.