Page 43 of The Eraser

I grimace as I turn to face him. He doesn't release me. In fact, his arms tighten around me. "How do you think that'll go?" I ask.

He sighs. "I don't give a fuck how it goes. You're mine, Jess, and I'm not losing you."

I love that he's so adamant about it. He's never wavered on it, not in the time I've known him. But Callie's his best friend, and she's been that way since she was five. I can't lie and say I'm not a little scared about how she'll take it, but I'm hoping Stephen won't let anything come between what we're building.

"Any word on Dad?" I ask. It's been weeks and there's nothing, not a single word. I'm worried. I know what he's like and he's sly as hell. He always has contingency plans and I don't doubt that he has one right now.

Stephen's eyes darken as they do any time my father's mentioned. The bruises my dad put on me have faded, but Stephen's gaze always seems to linger a little longer on where they were. He's not forgotten and I'm not sure he ever will. He hates any mention of my dad. He wants to find him, and I know if he ever does, he's going to kill him.

"No, but we'll have information soon," he assures me. "If and when we get the information, I'll let you know." Well, that's one way of ending a conversation.

"Do we have any food in?" I ask. He mentioned to Maverick earlier today that he needed to go shopping.

His lips twitch. "Don't worry, Little Dancer, Mav's on his way with food."

I raise a brow. "What food?"

He shrugs. "Maverick told me to trust him, that he knew what you liked."

I grin, knowing Maverick and I have spoken about it a few times, sometimes when he'd come to Dad's to bring me food. "Okay, now what about Jer?" I say softly. "He's a tad bit old-fashioned."

"Don't worry about your uncle, baby. He'll be grand," he says dismissively as he reaches for his cell that’s on the floor. A few moments later, he grins at me. "Besides, they're here now."

My brows knit together. "Who's they?" I ask, wondering just how many people are here.

"Mav and Jer. No one else is allowed here other than them and Freddie," he tells me without missing a beat, palming my ass and pulling me closer to his body, his lips descending on mine. I cling to him. God, I love the way he kisses me. I relax into him fully as his tongue slides into my mouth and he deepens the kiss. I'm so lost in him. Everything fades, as it does every time we kiss. The man knows how to make me lose my mind.

When he pulls back, I'm panting and wishing no one was here. Since we had sex this morning, I'm a lot more hyper aware of him. Everything he does is a huge turn on, but him kissing me so deeply is what makes my toes curl.

"Okay, baby, why don't you get settled on the sofa," he says softly. "They're about to enter the house."

I narrow my eyes at him. "How is it that you can kiss me and not be affected?"

He smiles and I pull in a sharp breath. He's without a doubt the sexiest person I have ever met, but the genuine smile he has for me just amplifies it so much more. He's gorgeous, dangerous, and mine. God, how the hell did I become so lucky?

"Baby," he groans. "Trust me, I'm affected. I'm just good at hiding it." He reaches for my hand and presses it against his pants. I can feel his cock. It's hard. I giggle. "Don't," he says thickly. "Christ, Jess, hearing you laugh is like a direct zap to my cock."

"Good," I breathe. "Because whenever you kiss me, I get wet. Now we're even." I turn on my heel and start to walk toward the sofa, but his hand clamps around my wrist and pulls me to a stop. I look up at him and all the air leaves my lungs at the lust-filled gaze he has.

"Trust me, baby," he says low. "If these fuckers weren't here, I'd take you to bed and show you just how affected I am. But don't worry, baby, I'll make it up to you when they leave."

"You'd better," I say, squealing and laughing as I dart out of his reach.

"Fuck," I hear a low voice say, and I turn to see Uncle Jer staring at me. Within seconds, Stephen has his arms wrapped around me.

"I'm not going to hurt her," Jer says, glaring at Stephen. "I'm just happy to see her smiling."

My heart constricts at his words. I haven't smiled in a long time. It's hard to do when you don't see a way out of the torment and pain. But being around Stephen has made me really happy. I feel as though I'm finally finding who I am.

"Food's here," Maverick says, moving past Jer and smiling at us. "How about we let Jess eat?"

"What's for dinner?" I ask as I take a seat on the sofa, not in the least bit surprised when Stephen sits beside me and Maverick takes the other seat. The two of them are my self-appointed bodyguards.

Jer scowls at them both but doesn't say anything as he takes a seat. I smile when I see Maverick did in fact get my favorite food. A chicken sandwich and fries. I settle back on the sofa and start to eat, letting everyone around me talk.

I’m halfway through the meal when Jer turns to me. "I heard what happened," he says, and I can hear the anger in his voice. "I hate that you didn't tell anyone, but I also understand that you felt alone. I'm sorry for not being there. I should have found out why you were pushing me away."

I shake my head. "It wasn't your fault. I'm sorry for pushing you away."

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