Page 63 of Centering Kaos

“Dylan called Matt a narcissistic a-hole,” she said, making herself comfortable on my bed. She was fully clothed, and I was fine with that. I hadn’t been lying when I’d said I only wanted to talk. We had some catching up to do, and I’d learned my lesson and didn’t want to rush back into something she might regret.

Keeping my sweats and T-shirt on, I slid onto the bed beside her, smiling. “That kid’s wise beyond his years.”

“Wise?” She gaped at me. “I think the word you’re looking for is devious. He must have listened in on our conversation.”

“Can you blame him?” I fired back. “The adults in his world keep fucking up and he needed to know what was going on. I’m damn proud of him for the way he stood up for you. If he was a little older, I’d buy him a car.”

“He could have been killed.” Her voice hitched, and I realized she was barely holding herself together.

“Yeah, but he wasn’t.” I extended my arm up over her head. She scooted in, snuggling against my side. Right where she belonged. It felt so goddamn good and natural. Complete.

She let out a shuddering breath.

“He’s okay,” I assured her. “And Emily says that fucker’s gonna be locked up for a while. Even if he does get out, there’s no way in hell a judge will grant him visitation. Not after today.”

“Yeah, he really screwed up this time, didn’t he?”

“No, angel.” I chuckled. “He done fucked up. Call it what it is.” When she didn’t reply, I looked down at her. “Some situations require stronger words, but you don’t ever really cuss, do you?”

“I try really hard to be a lady.”

Unable to help myself, I chuckled at that. “You don’t think ladies cuss?” I couldn’t wait to tell Carisa. That woman could make a sailor blush.

“I’m not judging anyone who does,” Tina hurried to say. “It’s just been a thing for so long.”

Reading between the lines, I realized what she meant. “Matt didn’t like it.”

She didn’t confirm, but she didn’t need to.

I swiped the hair back from her forehead and planted a kiss there. “That piece of shit no longer holds any power over you. You checked his ass like a goddamn defenseman. I gotta tell you, it was kinda hot to see the momma bear come out, all claws and teeth, protecting her cub.”

Tina’s laugh vibrated against my side. It was nice hearing her laugh after all she’d been through today.

“You’re a badass now, so I need you to do something for me.”

“Okay…?” She sounded hesitant.

“Tell me to fuck off.”

She shook her head, giggling. “I’m not telling you that.”

“Yes, you are. It’s important practice for our future. I’m only a man and I’m gonna screw up, angel. We both need to know that you have the power to tell me to fuck off when I do.” When she didn’t immediately comply, I hooked my finger under her chin and tugged it up until she met my gaze. “Tell me to fuck off.”

Her eyes searched mine and the laughter died on her lips at whatever she saw. Finally, she nodded. “Fuck off, Darius.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper, and one lone tear slid down her cheek.

I swiped at it with my thumb, understanding how important this moment was for her. And… it was kind of hot. Never thought I’d be turned on by a woman telling me to pound pavement, but here we were. Seemed like I found everything Tina said and did sexy. “Good. Louder.”

Squaring her shoulders, she maintained eye contact. “Fuck off.” This time, there was a little glimmer of mischief in her eyes.

I grinned. “Give me more, angel.”

Emboldened, she sat up. “Fuck all the way off. Fuck off until you can’t fuck any further, and then fuck off some more.”

Goddamn, she was everything. Looking proud as a rooster, she stared at me. Resting my hand against the unbruised side of her face, I drew my thumb over her lips.

“That’s a whole lot of fuckin’, angel,” I said.

Her eyes liquefied and she let out a breathy little sound that went straight to my cock.

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