Page 26 of Sinful Reality

“You’re not a cop.” I step around Cato and ignore his softened expression as jealousy peaks in my blood for the second time tonight. He’s way too emotionally attached tomywife.Everyoneseems to get that way, laying claim to a woman whose affection is rarely pleasant but whose heart is big enough… I suppose.

“Bathroom first,” I murmur. “Brush your teeth, or you’ll hate yourself tomorrow.”

“Didn’t even get dessert.” She smacks her lips and snuggles in closer when I turn at the bathroom door, cautious not to bash her head on the framing. “I’m not ready for bed. It’s still early.”

“Early is good sometimes. And you didn’t eat nearly enough.” Carefully, I set her on her feet but keep one arm across her back so she doesn’t slide to the tile. Then I reach out for her toothbrush and smear a little paste onto the bristles. “Open up, pretty girl.” I tap her chin and slip the brush into her mouth. “Can’t say I ever expected to brush someone else’s teeth for them.” But I watch us in the mirror, her slumping posture and the deep line of frustration burrowing betweenher brows. Then I look at me, and the stupid grin I had no clue I was wearing.

Guess I like taking care of her like this.

I press a kiss to her cheek and scrub until her breath no longer smells of Pad Thai. “I like it when you’re post-infusion, all lazy and malleable and huggable.”

“Are you coming to bed, too?” Her words slur from sleepiness and the intrusion of her toothbrush, her lashes flickering down to kiss her cheeks. “Are you ready to sleep?”

No.But…“Yeah, I’ll come to bed, too.” Another kiss, and I swap the direction of the brush to make sure I do a good job. “I’ll help you change and tuck you in. You’ll be asleep before your head touches the pillow.”

“That’s not true.” She leans over the basin and spits, white foam splashing against the porcelain and a thin line sticking to her chin. When she notices, sleepiness makes way for a warm blush while she drags her arm across to clean it up. “Oops.”

Chuckling, I rinse the brush and drop it into the cup holder, then I wet my hand and bring it up to wipe her lips and chin clean. “You’re pretty fuckin’ cute when you’re like this, ya know that?”

“I’m not cute.” But her eyes close again, her lips dropping forward into a sleepy pout. “I’m badass. I’m strong.”

“You’re cute. And you’re sleeping while standing up. Bravo.” I lift her again and take her back into the hall, then to our bedroom at the end. Kicking the door shut to give her privacy, I lay her on the bed and carefully peel her shirt over her head to reveal a plain black bra. No frills. Nothing exciting. And yet, so fucking sexy, my cock twitches and my heart sighs.

If I knew ten years ago how stupidly in love I would be today, I might’ve tossed myself off the Bayview Bridge, if only to save myself from the trouble of being this fucking dependent on someone else’s wellbeing.

But here I am now, and I wouldn’t change a damn thing.

She has me, heart and soul. So it’s my mission to make her happy. Tokeepher happy. And to not lose my fucking temper, all because some guy named Pax is on the phone duringourprivate time.

I slip my hands beneath her back and unsnap the bra to release herfrom its tight constraints, then I pull the cups forward and expose all of her. The supple globes and pretty pink nipples. I bite my lip instead of biting and waking her, then I toss her bra to the floor and scoop her up one last time.

Peeling the covers down and placing her head on the pillow, I set the blankets back in place and smile when she brings her knees up and cuddles into them. “Come to bed, too.” Her eyes close, long lashes fanning out to touch her cheeks. “I can’t sleep without you.”

And yet, she sleeps.

Snickering, I lean in and press a kiss to her lips. “I’m coming to bed, too. Promise.” But when her breath turns heavier, and I know she’s out, I turn on my heels and eye the cat squatting in the corner of the room. “Snuggle her,” I order. “She loves it when you do that. She’s just too proud to admit it.”

Stepping away, I quietly open the door and switch the lights out as I pass, then I move into the hall and close up behind me.

I’ll come to bed soon, just like I promised. But I need to eat first, or I might die of starvation. And it doesn’t matter how snuggly she is, there’s no way in hell I’m going to sleep at six o’clock.

“She’s totally adorable.” Cato drops onto the couch where Minka sat a moment ago, setting his feet on the coffee table, and spinning a fork in the Thai she and I were meant to share. “If you’re ever thinking about divorce, give me a heads-up first so I can get over here and slide on in before someone else tries.”

“Not happening.” I make my way to the kitchen counter to see what’s left for me to eat. “I’ll slit the throat of every divorce attorney in the city long before I even entertain a discussion.”

“But if you do, I just need a five-minute head start so I can call Cordoza. He can contact his judge and get the paperwork sorted out. I don’t even mind that she’s old, ya know? Seems I’ve got a thing for her exactly the way she is.”

“She’s a pain in the ass. More stubborn than a mule.” He left me the whole, untouched container of spicy beef salad, so I peel the lid off and grab a fork. “She’s more fragile than a lunchbox full of hexogen and completely incapable of taking care of herself in a healthy, sustainable way.”

He glances over his shoulder, smirking when our eyes meet. “She’s cute, though.”

“Yeah. But she needs a man who’ll force her to slow down.”

He scoffs. “I guess you’re saying you’re that man, huh?”

“Obviously.” I toss chunks of beef onto my tongue. “Since she’s my wife. You, on the other hand, don’t get tobesomeone’s minder. You need one of your own, so you don’t end up dead because you pissed the wrong person off.”

He makes thepshtsound in the back of his throat, twisting on the couch and switching the television on, immediately finding the sports channel and settling on the highlights from the last Knicks game. Hissecondfavorite team, now that he’s a shoo-in with the Condors. “Kinda wish she had a sister. I want me a Minka Mayet.”

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