Page 142 of Forbidden Need

It might be her job to support him, but it wasn’t her job to be the subject of ridicule. Her kingdom? Maybe not so much.

Changing into her clothes, she went down the spiral stairs into the club, bypassing the couple of security guys more interested in ogling the young clubbers than doing their job.

Given her security guys had to rest and follow Connel’s commands, it wasn’t a surprise her car wasn’t waiting by the curb. She was supposed to be in bed, asleep, little chance of that after what just went down.

Cabs lined up though, so she slipped into one and gave an address a street away from the loft. Whether the driver recognized her or not, she didn’t care. She did care about leaving a trail to Conn’s private space. People were watching her now, just like he’d said, her name was his.

What could she do, honestly? Connel was wound tight because he thought he’d missed something. He took on the responsibility of herding his family this way and that, ensuring everyone’s safety. Hence his reason for forgoing sleep. She wanted to be there for him, to help. Did that mean providing an opportunity to blow off some steam? Yes. Did it mean putting up with public humiliation? No.

She was mad, yes, and wanted an apology. But that wasn’t the time to demand it. Conn had enough on his plate, and just like she’d told Strat, he didn’t need relationship drama in the mix. Rather than leaving her Stag bed, she should’ve stayed put and would regret being the reason he took his eye off the ball. She wouldn’t be the cause of further upset for the McDades.

It was about pride.

Discovering his cousin was coming for his spot from a prison cell must sting deep. Was Biz’s intention to run the family, or was he more interested in letting Conn’s accomplishments disintegrate?

In the empty loft, alone, as far as she could tell anyway, she put her phone in her nightstand charging dock. Given their spat, being in their bedroom didn’t feel right. It could be perceived as gameplaying if she slept in the room under video surveillance. If he didn’t want her around, she wouldn’t force herself into his line of vision.

She lay down in one of the guest rooms instead.

Bed didn’t feel any better there than it had at Stag. Maybe she should’ve gone back to her apartment. Crashing Lachlan’s life wouldn’t be fair. If he’d moved into her bed and made changes, she wasn’t going to usurp the place back. Plus, her brother didn’t need any further reasons to disapprove of her relationship. Every couple had bad spells, but…

Closing her eyes, she rolled onto her side, back to the bedroom door. Nothing she could do about it now. Sleep. Breathe in. Out. Sleep. It shouldn’t be so hard. Why was it so difficult to settle?

“You don’t belong here.”

His voice cut through the darkness. The impact of it bedded itself deep in her chest.

Conn.

“No?” she asked, staying still. Was this the end of them or his idea of an apology? “Where do I belong?”

Without warning, he scooped her up into his arms. They went through the dark apartment and up the stairs to their room. Only then did he lay her down in the middle of their bed. Before he could rise, she snagged the back of his neck.

“Macushla.” He took her wrist to draw her hand away. “You’re lonely.”

“I’m worried about you.”

“Everything’s under control.”

“I know.” Even if it wasn’t and there was stress on him, he wouldn’t tell her, not now. Except she had to know. “Lie down with me.”

Without resistance, he stripped and got into bed beside her. His hand skimmed across her stomach, holding her down as his lips sought hers. Yes, they could kiss, but when his hands and mouth got more demanding, she pulled away.

“You need to sleep.”

“I need to show you the truth.”

She accepted another kiss, a short one, then swayed away from the next. “I know the truth.” Her hand slid onto his jaw. “I miss you, Mo Grá, but it’s my job to support you. My job to make sure you get everything you need. Sleep now. We’ll make love when you’re rested.”

“At the club, in the office—”

“It’s okay,” she whispered. “We’ll talk later.”

Yes, she’d been embarrassed, but he was under an inordinate amount of stress. Once he’d slept, and they got back to an even keel, she wouldn’t hesitate to tell him his behavior had been out of line. Though given he’d come to her, not just in Stag’s bed, but to their home, it was a good bet he got that already.

The guy was taking whacks from every quarter. She’d be safe for him, just like he’d be for her. The man killed for her. He went to any lengths for her. Sometimes it wasn’t all about her, that was something he had to be taught. His needs were as important as hers. More so when he had family, blood and kin, depending on him.

“I forgot,” he murmured.

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