Page 158 of Awakened by Sin

Her spoon clattered to the table. “Stray?” she choked out in outrage. “You’re not a stray!”

He grinned. “I’m not?”

She smacked her hand on the table. “What are you smiling about? This isn’t funny!”

“Carmen, that was a long time ago.”

“You’re not a stray,” she muttered as she grabbed another piece of bacon. Just the thought of Marcus labeling himself as that pissed her off.

“Strays don’t have family.”

“You do have family! Me and Gavin and Lyla …” Her voice trailed off. She sat back as it hit her. “That’s why you’re so loyal to Gavin. He’s your first family.”

He stared at her for a long moment before he inclined his head. “Yes. Gavin’s stuck with me whether he likes it or not. I would never betray him.”

Her eyes stung with tears. She looked down to hide them. “Right. Well, that means you aren’t a stray anymore. You have somewhere to go during the holidays.” She silently vowed that even when this thing between them ended, their relationship would remain civil. Everyone needed family.

“Carmen?”

She cleared her throat as she brushed invisible lint off her thigh. “Yeah?”

He cupped her chin and lifted it so she couldn’t avoid his gaze. He examined her shimmery eyes and wiped away a tear that leaked out of the corner.

“I’m fine,” he said.

She nodded. “Yes, you are. I just … didn’t know.”

He retracted his hand. “It’s not something I blab about.”

Of course, he wouldn’t. She waved a hand. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.” She grabbed her spoon and dug into her oatmeal. “Subject change. Do I snore?”

He blinked. “What?”

“Did I snore last night?”

“No,” he said slowly.

“Good to know. I do that when I’m really exhausted.”

Her phone rang. When she looked around, Marcus rose and fetched it from her clutch. He glanced at the screen and his brows came together as he handed it to her. She answered on the last ring.

“Connie?”

“What kind of rock do you want?” Cormac Hart asked.

“What?”

“I was doing an interview, and you came up. Apparently, a picture of us is circulating the internet. I figure we’ll be engaged next, so what kind of rock do you want?”

She didn’t even have to think about it. “I want a six-carat pink diamond ring.”

She winked at Marcus who towered over her.

“How much is that going to set me back?” Cormac asked.

“Just one million,” she said airily.

“Fuck that. See, that’s why I’m never getting married. Hey, if Gavin isn’t cock-blocking, I have a friend who’s bugging the hell out of me about you. You want to meet the asshole?”

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