Page 69 of Defiled Innocence

“She knows your brother and I had business together.” I will have to thank my mother for keeping old secrets safe.

At some point, Amelia will need to know, but not yet. Not while she’s still sorting out the death of her brother.

“Anyway, it was a short conversation. And not as scary as I thought it would be. Though I’ll admit she made your brother sound a little scary.”

“Kost? He can be, yes. Especially if he’s put you in his sights. But you’re safe from him.” I kiss her forehead again.

“And from you?” She twists her body until she manages to straddle my thighs. “Am I safe from you?”

I grab hold of her hips, pulling her firmly down on me so she can feel the hardness she’s created.

“No, Amelia. I don’t think that will ever be the case.” I pinch her hip. “How is the carnival planning?”

She sits back on my legs, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“It’s going. We’re going to use the same company as last year, so that’s a big item off my list.” She pauses a moment. “The accountant called today.”

“About what?”

“He said that you replaced the two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and he would be making the adjustments to the chart accounts.”

I’d told him not to bother her with it, but apparently, he doesn’t listen any more than my wife does when I give an order.

“You shouldn’t have done that.” She scoots herself closer to me on my lap. “I handle the foundation and the center; you handle everything else.”

“I’m not getting involved in the running of the center. I paid the money back to get the accountant off your mind. It’s resolved as far as legalities go.”

“So, you do think Lucas did it?”

“I don’t know, but this puts the issue on the backburner. Now you can focus on the carnival and the day-to-day issues.”

“So, you won’t interfere anymore?”

“Unless I need to, no.”

“That’s not exactly what I’m looking for.”

“Well, it’s the best you’re getting.” I pat her ass.

Fuck, just touching her playfully like this makes me want to throw her over the arm of the couch and fuck her until we’re both gasping for air.

“I’m tired, so I won’t argue, but I reserve the option of getting mad about it later.” She unbuttons the top button of my shirt. “You came home early tonight. Why?”

“I wanted to spend time with you.” I slide my fingers beneath the hem of her t-shirt to where I can feel the warmth of her skin.

“You wanted to spend time with me?” Her eyes widen.

“Yes. You’re my wife and between your work and my work, we barely see each other.”

Her bottom lip sinks between her teeth.

“We talked last night,” she points out with a coy grin.

“Yes, we did. We had a whole conversation while I dragged you up to bed after you fell asleep on the couch. And in that conversation, what did I say?”

Her cheeks blush again, and I’m going to be a fallen man if she keeps this up.

How can I even pretend to be the ruthless violent man I’ve been up until the moment this woman barged into my life, when just a pretty little blush makes my knees weak with need for her?

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