Page 120 of Property of Chaos

“And what did you conclude from all this thinking?” I reach out and run her long, black hair through my palm, fisting it tight before the ends slip away and winding it around my hand.

Her breaths come short and fast—lips parted as she stares into my eyes.

Fucking devours my soul.

“That most of the reason why it doesn’t work is because of me.”

“Not entirely accurate.” I pull her closer. “It’s because of yourfear.” Her hips touch mine, and I wrap my free hand around her ass to hold her in place. “I’m sorry, Vanessa.” She stays quiet as I search her gaze, a little confused. “I didn’t take that into accountwhen I went after that asshole at the clinic. I didn’t put myself in your shoes and ask how you’d feel about my actions.”

She swallows, and I track the movement with a hooded gaze.

If she can’t feel my dick pressing against her by now, there’s something seriously wrong.

“I’m sorry, too.”

“What the fuck for?” Her nostrils flare when I massage the soft swell of her ass, attention slipping to my mouth.Obsessed.

“For placing my anxieties on you.” She moves closer. By fuck all, but enough that her breath gusts my chin, head tilted back to see me. “You wanted to help, and all I did was yell at you.”

“You had a genuine reason to,” I murmur, angling my head to kiss her cheek. “I beat the fucker pretty good.”

“Yeah, well…” She exhales when my lips brush her jaw. “I’m not saying I condoned that.”

“Just…?” I prompt.

“That I understand why you did it.”

I slide the hand from her hair to the back of her neck, cradling her head as I bend her backward. “Why did I do it, Vanessa?”

“To protect me,” she whispers.

“And why do I want to protect you?” I kiss her throat and taste the heat of her flesh.

“Because you care about me.”

“Wrong.” Fingers tight in her hair, I jerk her head back to force her to look at me. “Because Iloveyou.”

Panic flares in her eyes before dulling to desire, her pupils dilating.

“Does that scare you when I say that?” I tilt my head, eyes critical as I study her response.

She smirks. “Does it scare you if I say no?”

My cock twitches, abs tight.This woman.“Maybe.”

“Why, Chaos?” Her breathy words are barely a whisper.

“Because Vanessa.” I kiss the underside of her jaw. “My love for you is the kind that destroys lives.”

FORTY-ONE

VANESSA

His lips meet mine,slow and tentative. Worshipping. Devouring.

I tilt my head and deepen the connection, hands cradling his face to pull him to my level. Chaos sets both hands to the small of my back, pressing me hard against him, and…oh… yes. Heisas turned on as I am.

“You need a shower,” I remind him when we break for breath.

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