Page 245 of Kiss the Villain

He immediately melts in my grip, gulping down his bite of food.

“I must say I’ve never seen this version of Uncle. What did you do to him, Gareth?”

“Lots of voodoo and a tiny bit of knives and Tasers.” My little monster grins, looking so smug and proud of himself.

He loves hearing others say I’m different when I’m with him.

Often, he’ll ask Simone and Jethro with a wide grin, “So you said he wassogrumpy before me? Like absolutely insufferable? Tell me more.”

The rest of the dinner is spent in relative peace. Before he leaves, Kane asks for my cooperation with his plans within Vencor.

He’ll bring me back, he says.

But I don’twantto go back. A place that doesn’t accept me and my man is not for me.

However, I give Kane the green light to proceed with what he has in mind.

He’ll be all right.

Ithink.

When it’s time to drive home, Gareth says he wants to walk. He loves that now—just walking outside. Mostly because he likes holding hands and hugging me in public.

Must be because of all those times he couldn’t do it when we had a secret relationship. I don’t really care for PDA, but I’d do anything for Gareth. If people are uncomfortable, they can kindly go fuck themselves.

He used to be so peevy about touching me outside of sex, but now, it’s second nature.

We’re getting closer to where I want to take him, but he’s underdressed in the damn jersey. I give him my jacket and wrap it around his shoulders.

“I’m not that cold.” He sways on his feet, a bit drunk, as he grins up at me. “But I don’t mind ogling your huge muscles. Mmm.”

“Don’t be a brat.”

“Pfft. You love it when I’m a brat.”

“Your ass will love it, too, later.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, baby.”

A jolt zaps through my chest and ends in my stomach whenever he says that.

I grab his hand and drag him with me to stop my erection from growing further.

“Maybe we should take a taxi.” He bites his lower lip. “I want to show you something in private.”

“I want to show you something first.”

“What…?” His eyes light up with intrigue, excitement, and overflowing affection.

“I’m rethinking it because you have someone else’s name on your back.”

He stops by the sidewalk, forcing me to do the same.

Gareth’s cheeks, even his freckles, are red from the alcohol, and when he frowns with that face, he looks fucking adorable.

I can’t devour him yet.

Notyet.

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