Page 9 of Captive Desire

She pulls out a jar of peanut butter and stares at the label. “Have you killed people?”

“Yes.” I keep my distance from her in hopes she won’t run away in fear. “In my position, you can’t have clean hands. However, I only kill those who deserve it.” Those who commit crimes against my family, who cause pain. Those who betray their own blood.

When her hand rests against her stomach and her jaw flexes, I know there’s only so long she can stare at that label to show she’s unable to meet my gaze.

“What if I don’t want to bring my–our child into such a violent life?” Her voice wavers. “What if I don’t want to risk the dangers of having him near all of this?”

I can’t stand by now. Not when she’s expressing her true fear. If I needed a test to prove my love, then this is it.

Coasting across the kitchen, I carefully take the jar from her hand and set it down.

“I can’t leave this life, Charity. However, when I make promises, I don’t just say them because I like the sound of my voice. I say them because I know I can keep them.” Itching to be closer, I press her body against the counter. “Four months ago, I was a man with nothing to lose. Now, everything has changed. If you want me to pull back, then I’ll no longer be reckless by throwing myself at the front of the line. I’ll manage everything I possibly can with you two at my side.”

A soft gasp leaves her lips when I cradle the counter at her sides, trapping her. All for the sake of her understanding what I’m saying, I keep our eyes locked.

“However, there is no longer an option available for our child. If you leave with him, my enemies will try to kill the both of you.”

Her breath catches as her eyes widen. “How many enemies do you have?”

“Too many to count.” After too many deals that have gone up in flames, all those paths burned because agreements couldn’t be made, I have more than enough people who wouldn’t mind if I stopped breathing. “I tried my hardest to stay away to avoid bringing any attention to you.”

Without warning, I thrive off of the gasp that leaves her lips as I pick her up and set her down on the counter. Spreading her thighs open, I step between them.

Pregnancy aside, I could’ve stayed away if I had the strength. If I had the power to forget about her, she’d be able to continue her life like normal. Instead, I’m too greedy for my own good.

“What made you crack?” Her breathing is hitched, her eyes wide. Sure, there’s the fear that comes with my words. There’s also something else.

“Seeing you up close again…” My body grows warmer, aching for her. “I was reminded all over again how badly I want to make you mine.”

No matter how long I stayed away, that wouldn’t have changed.

I would never have been able to let her go. Not now, and not after our child is born.

Even now, I’m struggling to keep even a foot of distance between us. Especially with the way she’s looking down at me.

I don’t know how much patience I have left.

Charity

Every word that comes out of his mouth should make me run for the hills.

I’m not the sort to believe in fate and all that, but nothing else explains how we fit together so nicely. Or, how this hunger remains in the pit of my stomach, only to ever be sated by this very man.

“I don’t want someone just to fuck,” I explain as he leans closer. “I want a real relationship.” My cheeks warm at the very thought of the future I’ve painted many times over in my fantasies with this man. All the what-ifs if he’d stuck around. “I want flowers, gifts here and there. Maybe a dog.”

“A wedding, too, I hope.” Nuzzling my neck, his mouth grazes my throat. The temptation of letting him kiss my skin as he pleases only aids in the arousal forming deep in my gut.

He and I are the same in many ways. I’m beginning to believe he is my weakness as well.

Hooking my ankles at his hips, I pull him closer. Needing to feel his body against mine, there’s no denying his arousal digging into me.

Even though my appearance has slightly changed over the few months of weight gain and my curves are curvier than ever, Romeo shows no issue in showing his attraction to me.

As if we could pick up right where we left off during our one-night stand, I know I need a certain type of strength to keep away. If I turned down all of his advances, he’d have to eventually give up and let me go, right? Unfortunately, I’m not thinking logically here.

My heart is what is guiding me this time. My heart and my growing arousal for this man.

“Tell me what you need, angel.” The grip on the counter is turning his knuckles white. Talk about a show of restraint.

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