Page 71 of The Confidant

“Sorry.” I don’t sound sincere. I don’t know what he just went through, but for me, that was the best orgasm I’ve ever had. “Do you think we could do that again? Like, all the time?”

“Fuck, no,” he snaps back. “I was too rough. There’s a perfect handprint on your hip that’s going to bruise. You passed out. There’s no way I’m doing that again.”

My eyes crack open with a mutinous expression.

“I’ve never had an orgasm like that in my life. You gave it to me, and I want more. Deal with it. Get some smelling salts.”

His chest rises on a deep, stuttering inhale. When it whooshes out he whispers, “You asshole.”

“Now that I’m back in fighting shape, let’s get to it,” I sit up, suddenly so full of energy I’m ready to burst.

He’s lying on his back with his mouth open in disbelief as I glare at him. His hair is a mess, half in a knot and half dangling over his cheek. Whatever concern he was feeling has been shocked out of him.

“Oh, you knew this was coming, yappy.” I raise a brow.

“But, you were just,” he trails off in confusion. “What the hell just happened?”

I straddle his waist and brace my hands on either side of his face to stare right into his eyes.

“I don’t mind you being mad. I don’t mind you beating someone up. What I do mind is you getting hurt or arrested.”

His mouth snaps shut so hard his teeth click. The mutinous look that starts up is impressive, but I’m not falling for it.

I sit up and grab his wrist, bringing his hand up for me to see. His knuckles are still swollen, making me tsk in irritation.

“My man’s hands are all bruised up. Next time we retreat and make a plan, you understand me? I’m not going to stand by while you go hog wild on someone. Ever heard of cameras? Evidence? You’ve got better methods.”

“I do?” He asks warily, slowly relaxing into the mattress. This isn’t the rampage he was expecting.

“You’re rich, yappy,” I glare at him. “Sic some lawyers on him. Dig up dirt. Humiliate him on social media. Force him into bankruptcy. Anything but this.”

“Addie,” his hand flips in mine to cup my cheek. I press his fingers into the skin and close my eyes.

“I won’t watch you get arrested and taken away from me. Don’t ask me to do that. I need you here, right beside me.” My burning eyes open to let tears come out. “I don’t ever want to see you hurt.”

His face is frozen in surprise.

“Please, Poe,” I lean down and press a kiss against his lips. “Compromise with me.”

“Fuck me,” he lets out a resigned sigh.

I let out a soft chuckle. “I will if you meet me halfway.”

Chapter Thirteen

Adelaide

We spend the week slowly moving me out of the old apartment. Now that he has me where he wants me, he isn’t in a hurry.

Our ‘argument’ ended in compromise, and he got over his issue of not wanting to hurt me the second I started rubbing all over him. A few times reminding him how good it felt and telling him I loved him sealed that deal.

Now the man has lost his mind. He wanders around my apartment like it’s a museum, picking stuff up with a bright smile and asking me questions about each thing he sees. I’m suddenly surrounded by ancient relics that have to be treated delicately.

By Wednesday, I’m ready to smack him because it’s taking too long with his ‘help’.

Lucky for him, he gets called away for another photo shoot in LA. He drags his feet and begs me to come. I tell him no because I’d like to move in with all my things before a full year passes. The pouting afterward was adorable and ridiculous.

He left that night with a lot of lingering kisses at the door, and Racer firmly clamped under his arm.

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