Page 25 of Indecent Villain

I shake my head and return to the bedroom where Kinsley sleeps. Inside, I place my phone on the nightstand beside the bed. I lift the covers and crawl into bed beside her. No sooner do I settle on my side to face her than she rolls straight into my arms. An arm goes over my waist, and a leg hooks over my hips.

“Hold on to me, Tiberius. I need to feel safe.”

“With me?”

“Always with you.” Her breath escapes in a whoosh as she presses her face into my neck when I gather her close.

Maybe I’ll be able to sleep now.

12

KINSLEY

I sleptlike a baby in Tiberius’s arms. He jumped from the bed within seconds of me sleepily rubbing my bottom against his hard, rigid cock bursting from his crotch. He’s huge. I know it’s only a matter of time before he puts it to use.

That was a few hours ago, and now I’m bored to death. After yesterday’s near miss, I was terrified. It knocked my confidence down a great deal. Today, however, I feel back to normal and grateful to be alive.

Tiberius told me the shooter is dead. I got the impression he was pissed about that because he didn’t get to be the one to kill the bastard.

Now, though, I want to do something pleasant, like feed the ducks in the town pond. It’s somewhere pretty to go and, hopefully, safe.

I pause as a thought occurs to me. Someone had to know I would be seated in that particular spot. Tiberius hasn’t ruled Rogers out, but he thinks a man named Edge is behind the shooting.

I realize now that when my parents were alive, I lived in a bubble, and now that bubble has burst.

With a hefty sigh, I pull open my bedroom door and find Jock sitting outside my room, reading Jane Eyre.

I grin. “That’s a good choice.”

“It’s different from my usual tastes.” He blushes. “My sister tells me I need to broaden my literature.”

“I think I’d like your sister.”

“She’d like you too. So, what’s on the agenda for today?” He falls into step beside me as we move downstairs.

“First, I want to talk to Tiberius. If he agrees, then we’ll be going out to eat.”

Jock frowns and places a hand on my arm. “Kinsley, I’ve been friends with Beckett for a long time, but I need you to know that if he, um, well, tries something you don’t?—”

“Stop there,” I interrupt him. “I love how you want to protect me. I really do. But I’m drawn to him, Jock. It isn’t one-sided, okay? And last night he held me while I slept. Nothing more.” I grin. “My virtue is safe, for now at least.”

The big man clears his throat. “Good to know.”

I lift to my toes and press a kiss to his heated cheek. “Thank you.”

I turn and knock on the office door.

“Go away,” Tiberius grumbles.

“Did you get up on”—the door flies open—“the wrong side of the bed?” I grin.

“I’m busy.”

I step into the room and glance at the desk, which is covered in papers. “So I see.” I sigh. “I guess going out to lunch is out of the question, then?”

“You want to go out to eat with me in public? After yesterday?”

“The shooter is dead, and this is not a planned meeting. Only me, you, and Jock would know about it. Salem too.” I grin and flutter my lashes.

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