Page 57 of Tempting the King

“Yes.” I nod. “I need you to be honest with me.”

He cocks an eyebrow. “Have I ever lied to you?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe not directly. But you haven’t told me the whole truth.” I narrow my eyes at him. “I know you started the fire in my building. The not fire, fire.”

He draws a deep breath, watching me for a moment.

“Yeah, I’m not denying it. I don’t always think things through.” He thumbs his nose with a contrite nod.

“Like with Mr. Hart’s car?” I raise an eyebrow, and he puts his hands up.

“He was an asshole, baby, he was talking shit about you in the bathroom before your session. He—”

“I’m a trained professional. You don’t think I handle guys like Harrington Hart every day? I told you before, I can fight my own battles. I told you I don’t need a man to take care of me.”

King growls. He steps back, putting his hands behind his head and puffing air toward the ceiling.

And I start to laugh.

“I don’t need a man to take care of me,” I tell him. “I can fight my own battles. But you’re the first man that’s thought I was worth it. And for the record, I kind of like that you do, even if you’re an unhinged caveman. Feminist card be damned, I like you being an alpha asshole for me.”

King turns to stare at me as I smile so big my cheeks hurt. And then he starts to laugh with a look of relief. He drops to his knees in front of me and takes my hands in his, and I let him, enjoying the way his thumb strokes my palm like he needs to reassure himself that I’m here.

And the truth is, I’m not going anywhere.

“Thank you for not trying to deny it,” I tell him.

“How did you find out it was me?”

I narrow my eyes. “You thought you were pretty clever, huh? Avoiding all the security cameras on my floor? Well, you’re not as smart as you think you are. Security figured it out from a camera in the supply closet. He called me just before Benjamin did.”

“Shit,” King mutters.

I nod. “Shit is exactly right, my King. You realize if you go to jail, I’ll be without you.”

He’s silent for a moment, thinking maybe he’s going to find himself on the wrong end of an arson investigation.

“Luckily for you,” I tell him, “Jack happens to be a fan. Of the Detroit Blades and King Hertzof. He’s also my friend. He’s not going to rat you out. The fire department is treating the fire as unexplained. Not criminal.”

He drops his head, his hands grabbing the back of his neck. “See? Things always workout.”

I nod. “Mmm hmm. But, you did a lot of damage. It was still dangerous, even without the fire. Some things are too much.”

King looks into my eyes. He takes my face in his hands and moves forward, so close I can feel his breath on my lips when he speaks. “I would never put you in danger. Never.”

“I know,” I tell him. “That’s why I’m still here with you and not taking out a restraining order.”

He snorts a laugh. “Baby, you think a restraining order would stop me?”

“Honestly?” I roll my eyes. “No. But you did ruin my entire office. And almost put me out of business with your client canceling antics. There are lines, Mr.--” I pause, grabbing his face. “Lines you don’t cross, even if you are my King.”

“Sorry, baby. You make me lose my mind.”

“I know you’re sorry, but it needed to be said. It’s still going to be a week before I can get back in my office, and I’m getting tired of working out of a hotel.” I squeeze his hand, letting him know I’m not still mad, but just concerned. About how out of control he was and still might be. King of Chaos is right. “And I need you to promise me something.”

“Anything. Name it.”

“Next time you get the urge to do something impulsive, slow down. Count to ten.”

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