Page 4 of Once A Crime Lord

She didn’t answer. He cupped her cheek and ran his thumb over her bottom lip.

“Your panic attacks are becoming more frequent.”

She scowled. “Blame Blade. He keeps springing surprise attacks on me throughout the day to see how I’ll respond.”

“It’s a precaution.”

In case she had to fight for her life. Again. “I know.”

“You’re becoming better than a decent shot.”

His voice was warm with approval. She tilted her chin proudly.

“Yup and I can kick ass.”

His mouth twitched. “You’re cute.”

She surveyed Gavin who was all muscle. “Well, I can’t kick ass like you, but I put two of your men down.”

“Because you did a crotch shot.”

Of course, he knew that. “How often do you watch me on the surveillance cameras?”

“Enough.”

She narrowed her eyes. “How much?”

He kissed her forehead. “A lot.”

“I can’t believe you watched me this afternoon,” she grouched.

“You should be happy I watched, or I wouldn’t be here right now.” He cupped her breast and thumbed her nipple, making her jolt. “Why didn’t you give me the green light if we could have sex?”

“You’re busy.”

“So?”

“You have better things to do.”

His hand tightened on her sensitive breast. “Lyla, you’re my number one priority.”

“Giving me orgasms isn’t a priority.”

“It is to me.” He dropped his forehead on hers. “I’ve been waiting to have you again. I jerked off watching you in my car, took care of business, and came to you as soon as I could.”

“That’s romantic,” she said dryly.

“You want romance?”

She made a face. Their relationship had never been about flamboyant gestures or sweet words. “I don’t need romance.”

He looked offended. “I can give you romance.”

She imagined him on his knees with a rose clamped between his teeth and began to laugh. He didn’t have a romantic bone in his body. When she ran from him, he blackmailed her into coming back. A year and a half later, he gained her marriage vows by threatening to harm her cousin, Carmen. He was no Prince Charming. The thought of him trying to be romantic was ludicrous. It wasn’t until she glanced at his face that she realized he was far from amused.

“Gavin, it’s not a big deal,” she said, patting his arm. He was a crime lord, not Romeo. “I never asked for romance.”

He grasped her chin and glared down at her. “Was your ex romantic?”

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