Page 49 of King of Temptation

And then he opens the car door and sets me down in the bucket seat. How does he carry me so easily, setting me in his low-slung car? He hunches in with me, doing up my seatbelt.

He closes my door leaving me alone for a few seconds as he comes round the car, and that’s when my thoughts snap back to his words. Home? I’m not even sure I have one of those. Then again, I know wherever Leo is taking me, if he’s there, it’s probably going to feel a lot more like a home than any other place I’ve been in the last four years.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Leo

Kim is slumped in the seat next to me, her eyes closed. Inside I’m hectic, but I’m trying to keep it cool for her sake. Still, every time I think of that man’s hands on her…

I grip the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white. I’ve never allowed myself to be attached to anyone but family. Relationships are complicated, even more so for me.

And I never intended to have a woman to care for. Hell, I can barely take care of myself. Three weeks ago, I fully expected to rot in prison. Which is why I have no intention of adding labels to what we’re doing.

But Kim is spectacular and there is bound to be other men who wish to claim her. I punch the car into fifth gear, my teeth grinding together.

The idea of someone else dating her makes me crazy.

The idea of one of them hurting her? That makes me murderous.

The feeling that I am her protector, that it’s my job, my most important function to keep her safe, washes through me.

It’s been there all along. The need to hire her, give her money, provide her with a nice, safe place to live. I’ve been acting as her protector almost from the first. Maybe even that call from the ballet…

Then again, I don’t get to excuse the guilt on that one.

“You’re going ninety,” she murmurs.

I downshift, slowing the car down. So much for being a good protector. “That guy really pissed me off.”

“I thought so, the blood gushing from his nose clued me in.” And then she smiles.

I smile too. “I didn’t scare you, did I, baby?”

She turns to look at me. “Scare me, Mr. Kincaid? No. You didn’t scare me.”

Calling me by the boss’s name unleashes something feral in me. That’s for people I don’t eat out while kneeling in front of them. “I told you I’d put you over my knee if you called me that. If it were any other night, I just might.”

“I think a spanking from you sounds totally hot, but I honestly don’t think you’d enjoy giving it to me.”

“What makes you say that?” I like kink as much as the next guy. Maybe more.

“You seem way more into making me feel good.”

That was totally true. “You’re not wrong,” I grunt.

“Which is why, I’m hoping you’ll put me on your body instead.”

God, I want that so bad. “It’s been a long night, baby. I don’t want to scare you. Honestly, tonight seems like a good night for snuggling.”

“Leo,” she reaches across the console, her hand tracing up my inner thigh. “Remember that time we hooked up at your brother’s wedding?”

My brows lift. “Vividly.”

“You’ve made me feel safe from that moment to this one. I’ve never let so many of my inhibitions fall away…” She trails off, her hand stopping just against my ball sack in my jeans.

I punch the accelerator again, just wanting to get her home, I mean, back to my apartment, and get her clothes off.

I’m still starting us in the bath. I’ve got a nice large soaking tub and I’m going to wash every one of that asswipe’s touches away. And then I’m going to put her on top of me and let her ride me however she wants.

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