Page 43 of Sinful Mates

Ravenous heat flared at our kiss, surprising me that she might still want to fuck when I broke her damn heart.

“I won’t, Daddy,” she purred, making my cock rock-hard and me ready to throw her on the table and make her scream the clubhouse down.

A grand romantic gesture came to mind, and I offered it, “You know what? Keep the card. It’s yours. I got another one.”

Her eyebrows lifted then descended, her gaze dissolving into one of pleasure, paralyzing me in her trap. “We’re getting serious and sharing finances now?” She gave my belly a play pinch.

Fuck. Wrong thing to say and she knew it.

She winced. “Kidding.”

I wanted to share everything but wasn’t ready. This was the next best thing. The first step I was willing to take.

Silent for a moment, I worshipped the dip in her waist with lazy strokes. It was all I could not to lift her off me and go ride into the fucking sunset and never come back. Fucking coward. Fucking broken. Fucking holding onto the damn past.

Sensing my growing agitation at being a coward, she blinked, breaking the spell between us. “I won’t abuse the privilege.”

Cold fruit juice eased my dry throat. “I know you won’t, Dark Sorceress.” I gave her a lazy grin. “And if you do, I’ll fuck up your credit history.”

That earned me another snort and my mate buried her face in my neck. “I better behave then.”

“Yeah, no home loans for you.” I spanked her ass, winning a gorgeous laugh that fought the cowardice clawing my insides. I had to sort out my shit for her. Be the mate she needed. Or I might lose her for good when I broke the spell binding all of us.

CHAPTER16

Aaliyah

“Oh,I don’t like this one bit.” I sealed my mouth with my hand.

Alaric and Slade contested for the right to teach Mia how to ride her new bicycle, tearing off the plastic on the pedals, and breaking the helmet out of the box. A present for her first week at school, and probably somewhat of a bribe, since she gave hell and kicked up a stink about going.

I remembered being excited to go to school and meet new friends when I started elementary school.

“Slade said staying with you would be fun.” She threw her school skirt on the floor in protest. “Going to school is not fun!”

“You’re going, whether you like it or not,” I treated her to the stern voice I gave disruptive patients. “No more iPad or games until you go.” When she didn’t move to get ready, I crouched, snatched up her skirt, engaging in a glaring competition until she gave in and stepped into her clothes.

Aaliyah, one. Mia, none.

Each day of the week continued like that until Slade got sick of her bratty behavior, putting his foot down, the vibration of war hammers in his raised voice shocking her into compliance.

Poor behavior didn’t deserve rewarding, but that was my generous mate. And damn, Mia’s excited shriek at receiving her present—one that nearly blew our eardrums—dissolved some of our tension at clashing over attending school and doing homework. Gratitude expanded in my chest at the surprise. Between Zethan and Slade, she was spoiled rotten, the new princess of our household. Damn mates better rein in this habit.

Restless energy twitched in me, and I stuffed my hands under my armpits to expel it. Nerves refused to let me out of their chokehold all day. Kiss goodbye to the sexy black nail polish I chewed off. Hello to blisters on my lips from grazing my teeth over them all day. Oh, look, another hole in my jeans from rubbing my clammy palms over them.

Zethan’s grasp on my waist tightened. Bless his attempts at calming me down, especially on Mia’s first day. Restricted my coffee intake to avoid the jitters. Lunch and movie date, but I didn’t want to turn my phone off in the theater in case the principal called. Got a few annoyed murmurs when emails and texts sounded.Fuck ‘em. Didn’t care. Didn’t all mothers turn into a hopeless mess on their child’s first day of school? Worried, I was desperate to know how well it went or didn’t. I rested my palm over his hand, showing him I treasured him.

Turned out all the worry was for nothing, exactly like Zethan and Slade said. My boisterous baby made friends instantly, inserting herself into already established friendship cliques and receiving warm welcomes, according to her teacher. Okay, so I called three times to check in. Overkill. Couldn’t help it.

“Be careful,” I mumbled through my fingers as Slade encourage Mia to test out the seat height.

My sinful mate would turn Mia into a speed demon. Hook her on riding bicycles, the need for wild dirt bike rides, danger, and thrills. That could only progress to a motorbike, and I dug my nails into my free hand at that thought.

On the other hand, Alaric would teach her the value of safety and caution, and the urge to let him handle this drummed in me. He became her shadow this past week, following her everywhere, ensuring her welfare. Butterflies in my stomach dispersed knowing my daughter’s protection rested in his vigilant and agile hands.

Goddess.

Worried mom mode. Overprotective like Alaric. Zethan’s method of relaxing into it went out the window. Hypervigilance for every little threat clasped me in a stranglehold. Well, that and my contrition for bringing her into this dangerous life and war zone environment.

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