Page 52 of Sinful Blaze

Maybe this isn’t so different. Something scared the wits out of Daphne, and she let me comfort her.

It’s just what I do, apparently.

I choose—for tonight, at least—not to question it.

18

PASHA

Peeling Daphne off me took more willpower than I expected.

My dick wants me to go a hell of a lot further than just quietly holding her as she dreams. But that’s easy enough to tame. What was much harder—surprisingly so—was how good the rest of me felt.

She just fits so perfectly. Naturally.

Like she’s where she belongs.

I swallow back whatever the hell these feelings are and focus on fixing the situation at hand. Once I’m sure she’s sound asleep, I tiptoe out of the bedroom and head for the main living room.

“What could you possibly need?” Mak yawns into his phone. “You’re not running recon, are you?”

“I’ve got a problem.” I flop down onto the suede couch with a heavy sigh.

“So take a pill. Or one of those nighttime cough syrups. I don’t care, as long as I can sleep.”

I ignore his complaining and cut to the chase. “She’s terrified of me, brat. How the hell is this supposed to work?”

Mak sighs. “Let me guess: you just barged on in without so much as a text.”

“It’s my penthouse.”

He can’t see me do it, but I’m glaring at the phone while he laughs his ass off. It’s a solid minute before he calms down enough for me to get a word in edgewise.

“Please tell me she clocked you good. I bet good money she hit you so fucking hard,” he cackles.

My shoulder still smarts where she hit it with the lamp, but I’m not about to admit anything. “You’re useless.”

“And you’re clueless.”

“Watch it.”

“No, no, you don’t get to pull the mob boss bullshit at three in the morning. Not while we’re off-duty. You called me as my brother, so you get my responses as your brother. You’re a dumbass.”

I click my tongue against my teeth. “Do I need to call Sofi instead?”

“She will murder you if you wake her up. I’m your best and only option. And I’m telling you right now, you’re asking for the moon from this woman and wondering why your spaceship keeps crashing.”

“The fuck are you talking about?”

Mak sighs, groans, and sounds like he’s sitting up in his bed. “Dude, I don’t know the first thing about pregnant women. But I do watch a lot of nature shows, so, like… take what you will. Every time something knows it’s about to have babies, they start nesting, right? Making a home, getting everything set up, making a safe space.”

“Alright.”

“Right. Nice, warm, safe space for baby.” He takes a deep breath. “So what have you been doing lately, hm?”

I frown. “I gave her a safe space. Mine. It’s safe, with me, and has plenty of space.”

“Uh-huh. And how many times did you manipulate her into relocating so you could give her this little love nest of yours?”

---