Page 33 of Love Fire

“Because you’re sober.”

She raises her left brow. “Are you really worried about that right now?”

I sigh. “Yes, I am, even though there’s a million more things to worry about. I care about you deeply, even if it makes no damn sense.”

She flinches at my last statement. I didn’t think I’d say it out loud at this moment, but fuck it. There’s a lot of unexpected things going on.

I take a long sip from the glass. The liquid burns my throat in a good way. Then, the buzz reaches my head, relaxing me.

Erin walks closer, hands clasped together. Her eyes don’t face me. Already a bad start to whatever she’s going to say. Why can’t she look at me directly when she’s not yelling?

She leans on the counter. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. About who I was.”

I shrug. “Why didn’t you, though? I could’ve helped you. We could’ve helped each other.”

Erin shakes her head. “My father has people working for him everywhere. It wouldn’t surprise me if Draconis Fire was even on his payroll.”

I wanted to object but she's not wrong. There’s been many cases when government agencies are corrupted and working with criminals. I would hope Draconis is an exception, but one can never know.

PNA is another example of corruption. Erin is the face of it. Supplying drugs to recovering addicts? Typical.

Another thought surfaces. I pour myself another serving of whiskey. This time I fill it to the brim.

“Are you sleeping with Alessandro?”

“No!” she yells while rolling her eyes.

I just can’t shake the feeling that something’s going on between those two. I still have it clear in my mind how Alessandro gawked at her when she was naked. I’m the only one who can admire her bare flesh and have it up against me.

Erin must’ve felt my annoyance. I didn’t try to hide it either. My glass is full for the third time in a row. The buzz is barely kicking in.

She grabs my free hand. She stares at me directly with a determined expression. Her eyes, bright and demanding my attention. My gaze locks itself in the forest she carries.

“For the last time, there’s nothing between me and your cousin. I’m helping him with his recovery. He doesn’t have any of the basic texts from rehab, and I know the steps. I want to help him stay sober.”

“Then why didn’t he tell me? I’m his family.”

She covers my hand with her small palms. “I know, but it’s nothing against you. I promise you that I’ll help him with his recovery.”

I can only look at her. There’s not one cartel in the world that I can’t face. When I’m with Erin, I’m powerless.

I can’t control myself.

Regardless of who she is, or what she’s doing or any of the mystery, she has a good heart. I want her for that reason. All of her.

I leave my glass on the bar. I take her in my arms. Then, I lift her up the bar.

“Brent?”

I don’t say anything and just crash my lips against hers. I don’t care if my neediness shows, I want her to know. She’s all mine. Down to her very last drop of blood.

She pulls away from me, gasping for air. “Brent, wait,” she sighs softly.

I pull her face close to mine, holding the nape of her neck. “Shut up.”

Without thinking, I rip off her shirt. Bra included. Her tits bounce, and my pants get tighter at the sight of them.

She shrieks and covers herself. “Stop, wait, wait!”

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