Page 39 of King of Pain

I shake my head. “I said yes to Vincent Vendetti when he asked me out. Maybe I just attract…”

“There are a lot of terrible people out there, Kate. Running into a few of them isn’t a reflection on you.”

Maybe. Maybe not. I am my mother’s daughter.

“Tell me yours now.”

He draws in a deep breath, a grimace crossing his face. “I… uh… I can’t read so well.”

My brows draw together. “What?”

He shrugs. “I graduated high school. But I struggle to remember numbers, order words on paper. You know how I had you read me the number on the burner? Navigate the signs out of Vegas? I mix shit up in my head.”

I blink up at him. He’s so confident. Strong. “But that’s okay. Your job is probably perfect for you and?—”

“My job?” he looks at me with confusion.

“Construction?”

His eyes widen in surprise before a look crosses his face like he’s in pain. He runs a hand through his hair. “Love, I don’t operate a bulldozer.”

“What do you do then?”

“I’m more of a project manager.” A muscle in his jaw tics and my brows draw together as I try to understand. “Though I’ve been struggling with the job.”

“But you’re gainfully employed?” I nip at my lip knowing that I’m giving my own fears away. Bum magnet at your service.

“Gainfully employed? Yeah. I’m employed.”

I let out a long, relieved breath. “Thank goodness.”

He gives me a smile, reaching for my face too, and gives me a long slow kiss. “So you’re worried that you…”

“Attract the wrong kind of guy,” I shrug, laying it out there. “And you’re worried that you’re not smart enough?”

“And that I’m drafting off my family. You know?”

I shake my head. “If I were to guess, they think about you the way I do. There isn’t anyone I’d rather have by my side when trouble comes knocking.”

The small smile on his lips spreads, making him toe-curling gorgeous. “Thanks for that, love.”

I draw in a deep breath. “I know this thing with us is convenient and temporary…”

His smile slips. “Okay.”

“But I just want you to know that I think you’re a Mark.” I need him to understand. Even when things end…

“A Mark?”

“A guy that I can count on. You know?”

“Kate, you have trouble anytime, anywhere, you call me.” And then he kisses me. There is no tongue, but somehow, there is so much feeling in it. Like we’re sealing some pact.

I cling to him as he kisses me over and over, finally opening my lips and he brushes his tongue against mine. He pulls me down off the chair, until I’m sitting in his lap, both of us on the floor.

This kiss is different. It’s tender, it’s warm. The heat is slower to unfurl but I’ve never felt safer than I do in his arms right now.

I wonder what I’d give to stay here. I’d guess almost anything.

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