Page 30 of Creed

“I’m not a piece of property.”

“In my world you are.”

“I live in the real world, Creed. I have rights.”

“Never said you didn’t, but if you think you’ll stand a better chance going this shit alone, I invite you to try to walk out that door and see how far you get before you’re calling me again.”

“You don’t have to be an asshole about it,” she snaps.

“If I was being an asshole, I’d have you bent over my knee, spanking your ass for the mess you’ve gotten yourself entangled in.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“Damn straight I would because after I was done tanning your hide, I’d fuck that attitude right out of you. You said you needed me, and I drove all damn morning to get to you. Would walk through fire for you.”

“Seth,” her voice softens.

“Get some sleep, hellcat.”

She rolls toward me, placing a hand on my chest. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I grumble.

I close my eyes, thankful that my blackout curtains are doing their job to keep my room dark.

“I didn’t mean to seem ungrateful.”

“Go to sleep.”

“I can’t. Do you think Cade is dead?”

“No. I think that fuckstick got into some shady shit and hung you out to dry.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’ll talk about it later.”

“Tell me now.”

“Listen, beautiful. I’ve had a long fucking night that bled into my morning. It’s midday. I’ve had about two hours of sleep in the past forty-eight hours. If you want to use that mouth, I’ve got some ideas. Otherwise, I’m about five seconds from passing out and don’t even think of trying to leave. I’ve got your keys, and everyone here knows you’re not to go anywhere without my approval.”

“Sounds like I’m a prisoner.”

“It’s how I keep you alive and babe. As much as I like your attitude on a good day, now isn’t the time for it.”

“Okay.”

“Okay,” I mutter back, curling an arm around her waist and pulling her back to my front.

“Seth?”

“Shut it.”

Chapter Eleven

I awaken, hot and sweaty, pinned to the bed by a bulky body. I rub my eyes, trying to overcome the disoriented sensations I feel as my brain fog caused by sleep dissipates. My throat is dry as the desert. I shift to move out from under Seth’s arm and his leg that’s slung over mine.

He only curls his arm tighter around my waist and flicks his thumb across my nipple. His erection pokes me in the rear as he murmurs, “quit squirming.”

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