Page 85 of Exposed

“No problem. I didn’t know you were a dad, man. Congrats. We’re happy to help, and here’s my cell number. Call me if you need anything. Raul and I are here for you guys.” He hands me a business card with their cell numbers on it.

“Ditto. Let me know if you need anything,” I say, then book it into my house and lock the door behind me.

Pepper is waiting for me on the couch, the sunflower blanket I gave her over her legs. Her eyes are red from crying. Her short, dark hair and bangs frame her face and her t-shirt and shorts that I bought her cover her cute body. She looks younger and more vulnerable than normal. Heck, she is young and vulnerable, and someone at Titan Securities took advantage of her.

In a few quick strides, I’m pulling her up from the couch and into my arms.

She's mine.My wife. I’m like a toddler, and the only word I can think of when I look at her is “mine.”

I want to take care of her. Today. Tomorrow. All the days she’ll let me.

“Pepper.” I breathe in her scent and reassure myself that she’s here as I hold her tight. She’s safe, and I’ll keep her that way.

“I’m so sorry. I thought we had more formula left, but we didn’t,” she sobs into my chest. “I didn’t mean to put Simon in danger. I didn’t give him a bath tonight. It was late and we were tired.”

With one arm snaked around the small of her back andone hand cradling her face, I stop her talking with my mouth on hers.

A little gasp escapes her lips. Good. No more words. She was using too many. Too many apologies when what she did tonight was perfect. She whimpers, then melts against me.

I stroke her cheek with my thumb.

“Pepper. It’s okay. It’s not your fault.” I pull back to cup her face in my hands. “You didn’t ask to be put in the middle of this. We’ll figure it out together. I’m here for you, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Her lashes are clumped together with tears, and I take her mouth with mine. She melts into me like I’m her refuge, and damn, do I want to be. I kiss her slowly, passion building the longer my lips cover hers.

When I pull back, her eyes are focused on me, like she’s waiting on me to lead her.

I direct people all day long for my job.

Stand here.

Face each other.

Put your arm around your bride.

I love directing and leading people to positive outcomes, and I like leading Pepper most of all. I love that she trusts me to be there for her.

She’s stealing my heart one piece at a time.

Don’t break my heart, Pepper. Don’t leave me and Simon.

I want to make her promise to never leave me, but I don’t. Not tonight, anyway.

“Were the security guys nice to you?” I ask instead.

“Yeah, they’re super kind. They both followed me home from the gym and are like the best bodyguards.”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy she’s protected. However, I want her to thinkI’mthe best bodyguard.

Huh. Does she like either of them? They’re both attractive former military guys in their late 20’s or early 30’s.

That thought unnerves me. I never want to see her with another man. I need to catch my breath, or I’m going to open the windows and fuck her on this couch just to make sure Jared and Raul know Pepper is mine. That would be both inappropriate and unhinged. But fuck, do I want to do inappropriate and unhinged things with my wife tonight.

I need a second to breathe before I fuck her in front of our open windows.

“Let me check on Simon. I need to see him,” I murmur. I kiss her shoulder, then go to my room to see him sleeping soundly.

Ha. We’ll see how long that lasts.

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