Page 49 of Dirty Big Sins

I’d meant every word I’d said to her and every thought I’d had. She was mine. Not just for tonight or tomorrow or the week after that.

I was never letting go. Forever.

Unfortunately, there were a lot of barriers still holding fort between us that had to be resolved. Secrets that she might not forgive.

Not that I intended to ask for forgiveness.

I did what I thought best because that was my job. There was a lot of evil in this world and a lot of demons that haunted her. If I could protect her from all of that in any way, I would. Again and again. Even against her will.

I only hoped that didn’t cause me to take more drastic measures.

As I rolled onto the floor and pulled her across my chest, I knew though…

There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.

But there also wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do to her if I thought it was for her own good.

God help me, but I might be fucked.

Chapter Twenty-Two

ZIA

Despite the darknessof the room, thanks to the drawn blinds, I suspected that dawn had arrived long ago. And as good as it felt lying here plastered skin-to-skin with Vincent, reality was starting to set in and that meant it was time to get to work.

I eased backward and tried to stand on unsteady legs. How many times exactly had he made me come after I’d sucked him off? I smiled at that delicious memory. I may have gotten my way with him first, but he’d more than evened the score later, making sure I was reminded each time who exactly was in charge.

“Don’t,” he mumbled, reaching out for me.

“I have to. I’m sure I am already late.”

“Then you might as well stay here.” He caught my hand and pulled, making me crash back down across his chest. A position he’d carefully maneuvered after every orgasm. Apparently, he liked having me sprawled across him.

“I would if I could, but this is it. My last day to prepare for tomorrow’s opening. And I have a million and one things left to do on my list.”

“Fuck that list. Make Julie do it.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “As much as I’m impressed that you remember my assistant’s name, I’m not about to dump all of my responsibilities on her just so you can get laid again. Besides, I’m not sure I could go again. I might not be able to walk as it is.”

His eyes popped open. “You’re hurt?”

The worried tone from him made my stomach flutter, which in turn made certain areas grow a little warm. I immediately slammed a mental door on those happenings. I was not going to get led down that path this morning. He may have a cock worthy of a Golden Globe, but that didn’t mean I could stop adulting at such a crucial time. Although if I didn’t get away from him now, there was a good chance I’d be trapped here all day.

When it came to him, my emotions were all over the map. He made me want things I probably shouldn’t. Desire was one thing, love an entirely different minefield. Hadn’t I learned enough lessons when it came to that?

“Not hurt,” I said, pulling back from his grip. “Sore. There’s a difference.”

He raised on his elbows and watched me slowly hobble past him on my way to the bathroom. Like it or not, I was going to have to take the time for a hot steam shower to loosen things up. There’d be no hiding what we’d been up to, but it would be nice not to limp through my kitchen later.

“Hang on. I’ll help you.” He was on his feet and at my back before I could blink.

“No,” I reared back. “Don’t touch me.”

His eyebrows raised, accompanied by a distinctly disapproving look. “Why the hell not? I thought we were past this now.”

“You make a lot of damned assumptions, but”—a deep sigh pushed through me—“I guess we are.”

“Exactly. So what’s the problem?”

---