Page 37 of Blaze

“You okay, sunshine?” Cinder demands, his voice rough.

Lacy nods, but winces. “Braxton Hicks contractions,” Lacy assures him. “The midwife warned me about them. I want to go back in time and punch this Braxton Hicks. He says they don’t hurt, and he’s fudging wrong.”

I shake my head. “Men shouldn’t ever be able to tell a woman what her body does or doesn’t do.”

Blaze nuzzles against my ear, and whispers, “Even if it’s me telling you that you can come again for me?”

My cheeks flame red, and it has nothing to do with the sun high in the sky. From the choked huff Cinder lets out, I have to assume he heard Blaze.

“Anyways,” Lacy says as she makes grabby hands at Cinder. His hands dwarf hers as she grasps them and he hauls her onto her feet. “I came out to see if you wanted to come and bake something with me? I can’t sit still, and the boys have been begging me to make something for them again.”

I hesitate, looking up at Blaze.

“We’ll stay in the kitchen,” Lacy adds, a knowing smile on her face.

“Go bake,” Blaze urges me, his hand trailing down my side. “I’ll join you in a bit. I need to make some calls to the garage and see if the prospects are handling everything.”

I nod, and Cinder helps Lacy waddle towards the clubhouse, her voice chattering a mile a minute.

Blaze stands, setting me on my feet and rises, towering over me. “Be careful, Kennedy,” he orders, his hands cupping my face.

My breath catches and I stare up at him. “I will,” I promise.

Blaze searches my eyes, whatever he’s looking for found, and leans down, kissing me hard.

“Go bake,” Blaze repeats, his voice rough. “I’ll be in soon.”

I nod, my heart pounding, and follow Lacy and Cinder.

I glance back once, but Blaze is already on his phone, his brow furrowed.

Inside the clubhouse is cool, a drastic change from the warm desert air.

Cinder follows Lacy, his hand resting on the small of her back.

“The kitchen is this way,” Lacy chatters, waving a hand down the hall. “I was thinking cookies. I have a great recipe. Kennedy, do you bake?”

I shake my head. “I haven’t since I was a teenager.” Enzo wouldn’t allow me to make anything sweet. He didn’t like me making something that could turn me fat.

Lacy stops, Cinder bumping into her with a curse.

“Seriously?” Lacy asks, her blue eyes wide. I shrug, and Cinder scowls.

“My ex”—because dead or alive, Enzo is definitely my ex—“was controlling, to say the least,” I supply.

Cinder’s scowl turns murderous. Lacy looks appalled.

“I know what that’s like,” Lacy says, her voice filled with such hatred, I’m taken aback. She only softens when Cinder touches her chin, turning her to look up at him. She bounces up onto her toes and presses a quick kiss to his mouth, then turns back to me, her happy personality shining bright again. “So, cookies?”

13

BLAZE

Kennedy’s moans are almost as addictive as her taste. It’s been a week since I’ve moved her into my room and my need for her hasn’t diminished. If anything, it’s gotten more intense.

Her thighs tighten around my head as I suck on her clit, her fingers pulling my hair and her heels digging into my back.

There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

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