Page 29 of Frosted Hearts

"Princess," he sighs, pulling me against his chest. His arms wrap around me tightly and I can smell the sandalwood of his body wash as I take deep breaths trying to calm myself. "You are safe here. I promise. I only wanted you to know, just in case. Even if I was here, you'd need to know how the room works. It's just a precaution. I was going to tell you when we got here but seeing as how we weren't on the best of terms I held off." He pulls back to press a soft kiss against my lips. "Nothing will happen to you. What did I tell you last night? You're mine and I take care of what's mine." He deepens the kiss as he lifts me inhis arms, my legs wrap around his waist as he carries me out of the room and down the hall to his bedroom.

Making it to the bedroom, Steel sits down on the edge of the bed, settling me in his lap as he does. He doesn't break the kiss, but I do, pulling back to stare at him. "You think kissing me is going to make me forget what you just showed me?" I sass, with my arms still wrapped around his neck.

"You think I need to kiss you to make you forget? Wow, Princess," he laughs, leaning in to kiss me again as he pulls me tighter to his body. "I'm kissing you because I want to. Not because I'm trying to make you forget. Now, give me one more kiss so I can head out.The sooner I leave, the sooner I get to come back and show you just how much I enjoy you."

"You mean so you can fuck me all night long?" I lean forward and kiss him on the cheek creating a trail of kisses down his neck to his collarbone.

"That, and so much more. Just admit it; you're addicted to me, Princess." His hand comes up to wrap around my neck pulling me back and taking control. The old me would have hated the power move, but I absolutely love it when he does it. The move turns me on every time and now has me grinding in his lap, looking for the relief my body is starting to beg me for. "Are you going to be a good girl for me and wait here?" he whispers against my lips.

"Yes, but only if you don't make me wait too long. I woke up alone and now you have me horny. You're not playing nice," I pout, wanting some sort of friction but with Steel's hand on my hip holding me in place I can't find it.

"I wanted to surprise you with breakfast, and you need to let your body rest and heal today. I know you're still sore even if you don't want to admit it." He gives me one more kiss before lifting me off his lap and placing me on the bed beside him. "I won't take long. Three hours max, hopefully less."

"Where in the hell is he?"I mutter to myself, standing in the living room looking out the window. Every so often, I look at the wall at the clock hanging there, taunting me that in ten minutes, Steel will be at the three-hour mark. I've done everything I can to keep my anxiety down, but something feels off. He said it would be three hours max and nothing so far. I really wish he had left us a phone to communicate with him. I thought about turning my phone back on but I knew it was a risk. I did it once when we first got here when I shouldn't have. Doing it a second time? I'm not sure it's a good idea. I'm pretty sure that Steel would kill me if I did that just to check on him. He'd probably ream me a new one and then some. No, I need to trust he will be back safe and sound.

Maybe he just got caught in the snow? Yeah, I nod to myself. That's exactly what happened.

"When will Steel be back?" Grace asks from where she is sitting on the couch doing some homework. She has history homework that she wants to ask Steel to help her with. I offered, but she shut me down, saying that Steel would be a better fit to help her. It made me laugh, but I let her think she was right.

"Soon," I answer, praying I'm right.

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I hear a car coming up the drive. I'm not waiting long before I see a black SUV breaking through the trees. Turning away from the window, I go to the front door and wait until I hear multiple car doors shut. Opening the front door, I rush outside and slide to a stop at the top of the steps.

Oh Fuck.

Ihave no idea if leaving them at the cabin alone was a good or bad idea. Knox will probably have my ass if he finds out I did it, but what other option did I have? The cabin is safe, especially with the enhanced security we installed after Emma was taken by the Silent Death Mafia. The town is on high alert knowing that we're in town, so they will alert one of us if anyone concerning comes through.

The second I got in the car, my anxiety rose. I've done a good job keeping it shoved down, but just pulling up to the general store has left me worried. I'm probably overthinking it, I have to be overthinking it.

Fuck!This is what women do to you when you care and why I haven't wanted to let one into my life . I kept telling myself last night that I wouldn't let Illeana leave. She's mine and I won't ever give her up, but damnit how the hell am I supposed to function when she takes up every space in my head? I should have just brought the girls with me and risked someone seeing them. At least I would have been able to think and not be losing my damn mind, wondering what they are doing. Or maybe we should have just all stayed at the cabin; sure we'd run out of foodbut fuck it. I could have made Knox get someone to bring us some it would have been fine. Maybe.

Fuck! I'm going to have to talk to Illeana when I get back. She deserves better than me, better than someone who's losing their damn mind because I can't go without having her in my sights or near me. She deserves someone who can be gentle with her and give her everything that she wants in life.

This is exactly why I don't fuck women, especially one like Illeana. At least all the others before were good for just scratching an itch, not leaving me going crazy for not having her with me. She’s a drug and I'm addicted.

Reaching the outskirts of town, I slow down to the speed limit and make my way to the grocery store. Last time, the general store was easy enough, but with it only being me, the larger store would be safe to go in with the larger crowd. Pulling into the lot, I choose a spot near the back, putting the car into park. I check to make sure the grocery list I had Grace help me write this morning was still in my coat pocket. The plan is to surprise Illeana with her favorite meal. Which meant I needed to pack up all the ingredients for lasagna as well as a few other things.

By the time I finished shopping, I was already at my two-hour time mark. Which meant I needed to rush to get back. It took me an hour to get here alone in the snow; I figured it'd only take me thirty minutes to get everything, not an hour. Since when the hell did buying groceries take so long? I swear I made ten laps around the store trying to find the twenty things on my list. I also had to substitute a couple of items since I couldn't find the specific brand Grace wanted so hopefully everything still tastes right.

That little girl knows exactly how to get what she wants. Illeana may treat her like a little kid at times, but she's anything but that. I'm convinced she's going on thirty at this point. Hell,she gave me a whole-ass lecture this morning about not hurting Illeana, and I still have no damn idea how she even figured out that I liked her big sister. The kid is too smart for her own good. Exactly like Alexis. I can't wait to see what happens when and if those two girls ever meet each other.

God pray for us all.

"Have a great day!" the young cashier states as she reaches across the counter to hand me my receipt.

"You too," I answer automatically, grabbing my bags in both hands because I refuse to use the cart. I'm on a time crunch and don't want to have to walk the damn thing back to the entrance, and I refuse to be that person who leaves it in the middle of the parking lot for it to hit someone's car. Those people are inconsiderate assholes who deserve to get their ass beat. I mean how hard is it to take the damn cart back.

The second I step outside, I pause, regretting not zippering my jacket up and putting on my hat. A stupid snowstorm is rolling through. Just my damn luck. I swear the world is out to get me today. And just when I think it can't get any worse, my cellphone starts ringing in my pants pocket and I have no damn way to answer. Just fucking great.

The ringing phone makes me put my ass in gear, getting to the SUV as fast as I can. Everyone at work knows I'm on a detail, so they aren't going to call unless it's something important, which now has me worried. Thankfully, it's not the panic room alarm, so I know Illeana and Grace are still safe, but now I'm really regretting leaving them out of sight.

When I make it to the car, the phone stops ringing. By the time I get the back door open and put the groceries inside, the phone dings notifying me that whoever called left me a voicemail. How kind. Sliding my phone out of my pocket I check to see who the missed call is while I get into the driver's seat.

"Well fuck." Of course, Knox had to be the one calling. He better have a damn update. I wouldn't mind being at the cabin alone with Illeana, but under these circumstances, I'd rather that not be the case. She deserves to have her freedom and finish her classes.

"Why didn't you answer the damn phone?" Knox growls as soon as the line connects.

"Well damn, hello to you too. How's everything going, Steel? Oh, you know it's fine just trying to keep everyone safe, entertained, and fed. And no Illeana and I haven't killed each other yet but maybe check back later," I snark. The bastard wants to growl at me for not answering the phone the second he calls then two can play this game.

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