Page 103 of The Hermit

“Cheating!” I shout.

He slaps my ass as he carries me out of the gym. “No, just payback for biting me.”

Dominik plants my butt on the kitchen table, and when he leans in to kiss me, I see the bitemark I left on his skin.

“Oh my God! I’m so sorry. I actually left a mark.”

“Really?” When he walks out of the kitchen, I jump off the table and run after him.

He heads into the guest restroom, and when he looks in the mirror and sees my teeth marks, he grins. “I’m getting this tattooed on my neck.”

“What?” I blink at him, wondering why he isn’t angry with me. “You’re not upset?”

His eyes flick to my face. “Why would I be upset?”

“I bit you.”

“We were sparring, and I want you to use every weapon you have in your defense,” he says.

Talking about tattoos…

“Why do you have ‘manifest’ tattooed on your cheekbone? Why not mayhem or something more badass?”

He shrugs. “I got it when I was eighteen. That boy had big dreams and believed if you manifest something, you’ll get it.”

“I like that.”

He steps closer to me and grips hold of my hips. “It’s a turn-on when you mark me. It shows I belong to you, so feel free to do it anytime.”

My eyebrow lifts. “Well, okay then. I’ll keep that in mind.”

He yanks me against his body while his features tense with desire, and I feel how hard he is.

“I was so fucking turned on the first time you bit me, and I couldn’t do much about it.” He leans down, and his teeth tug at my bottom lip. “But now I can.”

I lower my lashes seductively. “What are you going to do about it?”

For the second time, he lifts me into the air, and I find myself hanging over his shoulder as he stalks out of the bathroom and up the stairs.

I’m carried into the shower, and the second my feet touch the tiles, I quickly take off my clothes.

Dominik turns on the faucets, and while he strips out of his cargo pants and shirt, I check when it’s warm enough to step under.

I’m shoved beneath the cold spray and let out a shriek, but then my back hits the wall, and my man’s mouth takes mine in a wild kiss.

While I wait for the chicken to turn nice and brown, I open my chat with Ciara.

Grace: How are you?

I set the device down and glance at the oven while the delicious aroma of our dinner fills the air.

My phone beeps, and I quickly pick it up again.

Ciara: I’m okay. How are you?

Grace: Very happy. I’m busy making dinner. Roast chicken with the cauliflower and cheese sauce you love so much. It made me think of you.

Ciara: I’m jealous.

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