Page 64 of Centering Kaos

“Don’t look at me like that, badass. No sex tonight. I promised. Now, lie back down here beside me and tell me how much you missed my sexy ass.”

Chuckling, she collapsed, tucking herself back against my side. “You’re ridiculous. We were only apart for like a half hour.”

“And then I was interrogated and did several hours of hard time in the slammer.”

She rubbed circles on my belly with her fingertip. “You poor baby.”

“I know, right? There was this one guy in there who looked like he’d taken the mall Santa gig a little too far. Smelled like piss and cheap whiskey. He kept checkin’ out my ass, and I feared for my bootyhole.”

She gave me a little mock gasp. “Your bravery astounds me.”

“As it should. I’m very fucking astounding.” I chuckled a moment before sobering. “All kiddin’ aside, you really did scare me when you left. And for what it’s worth, I did miss you. You know, that’s not something they say in Greece.”

“Oh? What do the Greek say?” she asked.

“Mou leipeis. It translates closer to you are missing from me. That’s what it felt like when I dropped you and Dylan off, angel. Like a part of me was missing. I know it wasn’t long, but I’d like very much for us to never do that again.”

Wrapping her arm around my midsection, she gave me a squeeze. “You’re so… unexpected, Darius.”

I liked it when she called me by my given name. It sounded almost like a purr on her soft, plump lips. “What do you mean?” I asked.

“You’re a hockey-playing Army veteran who quotes Socrates, sings Hawaiian music lyrics, always knows what to say, and is great with my son.”

And she was good for my ego. Patting her hand, I said, “You forgot the sex god part.”

She laughed, but didn’t disagree. I took that as a win.

We stayed like that for hours, just talking and getting to know each other better. The more I learned about her, the more it reaffirmed that this woman was it for me. At some point, we must have dozed off, because Tina’s phone alarm startled us both awake. Throwing back the covers, she rolled out of my bed, almost smacking her head on the nightstand.

“Whoa. Where do you think you’re goin’?” I asked. The woman looked dead on her feet. She went to knuckle her eyes, but winced at the pain. Just looking at the bruises on her face made me wish bail had been set for Matt. I’d be tempted to bail his ass out so I could beat the shit out of him again.

“I need to wake Dylan up for school.”

“No, you don’t.”

Her eyes narrowed at me. “Do I need to start telling you to fuck off already?”

My God, I’d created a little wildcat. Laughing, I threw up my hands to shield myself from her ferocious glare. “No ma’am. But the kid just rescued his mom and gave a statement to lock up his dad. I think he deserves a day off.”

Deflating, she collapsed back on the bed. “Yeah. You’re probably right.”

“Wow. I don’t mean to brag or anything, but you’re the second woman who’s told me that this week.”

Her head snapped around and she glared at me. “What other woman are you talking to?”

Even her jealousy was hot as fuck. My cock took notice, springing to life and encouraging me to show Tina she was the only woman for me. She’d ditched her bra some time during the night, because the natural form of her breasts got my attention quick. I tugged her over the bed until she straddled me. Tucking her long brown locks behind her ears, I grinned up at her. “Carisa, angel. Nothin’ for you to get all worked up about. Although, I kinda like this side of you.”

“Oh.” Her brow furrowed. “I wasn’t getting worked up. I just—”

“Yes, you were. And I don’t blame you. I’m a fuckin’ beefcake.” I rolled my hips, letting her feel how hard she made me. “But you don’t have to worry. I’myourbeefcake.”

Her eyes softened.

Grabbing her hands, I tugged her down until she was lying on top of me. Our lips pressed together in a slow, sensual kiss. I probably should have brushed my teeth before pulling this move, but I didn’t give a shit about morning breath. I wanted this woman exactly as she was. Scarred, bruised, exhausted, she’d never looked more beautiful. Probably because the damage wasn’t from her standing there taking a beating like some goddamn punching bag. No, it was from her standing up to her ex and protecting her son like some avenging angel. Just thinking about what could have happened to them choked me up and made me desperate for her.

I tugged her shirt upward, and she broke off the kiss long enough for me to remove it. My hands immediately went to her exposed tits. They were perfection in my hands, and I squeezed and played with them until her nipples were hard peaks.

Rolling us over so I was on top, I removed her leggings and stood, stepping back to admire her body. She reached for the blanket, but I lunged, catching her wrists before she could cover up.

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