Page 58 of King of Depravity

That’s when he whispers in my ear. “You’re the only woman for me, Chloe. There will never be another.” And then he pulls me up the bed and settles me under the covers, his body curling around mine.

I’ve spent most of my life alone. To be held like this, to be this close to Killian, is like a balm to a wound.

But also…it’s a danger that is like walking on a knife’s edge.

It’s my last thought before I fall asleep.

I wake in the morning, sore but satisfied.

Killian is still behind me, his arms tight around me. “Good morning,” he murmurs close to my ear.

“Good morning.” I smile a little, so comfortable I don’t want to move an inch.

“Painting today?”

“Sleeping,” I mutter back as he smiles into my hair.

“Should I make you something to eat?” he asks. That’s what pulls me awake as I turn my head around to look at him.

I touch his face, “No. I’m all right.” I know I need to revisit last night. I both feel closer to Killian and further away.

I’ve touched one of his sharp edges and I’m still smarting.

I close my eyes again, wondering if I might be able to go back to sleep. I will say one thing about Killian’s place. It’s so quiet and comfortable, I’ve slept better here than I have in years.

He kisses across my shoulder. “You said you wanted to get some stuff at your place?”

“Yeah. I have to pay rent too.”

“Why not give up the place?” he says, his hand skating over my hip. My lips purse, my eyes opening again. We are not ready for that. I’m not ready to be that tied to Killian, no matter how deep the feelings are getting.

“This is just for a few weeks, remember?”

“What time do you want to go over to the club?” he asks, as he pushes up on his elbow.

“Nine. That’s when the manager usually arrives for the ten o’clock opening.” I touch the bruises on my face. He’ll have a hard time arguing with my position.

But now, I’m awake and so I get out of bed, stretching before I start for the bathroom. Killian follows, turning on the shower while I brush my teeth.

These moments are so easy, I could forget the other side of Killian. “Have any work to do today?”

“I’ve got some paperwork that needs to be done,” he answers over his shoulder.

“Maybe I’ll paint then,” I start for the bathroom door. I need to pee, and I don’t think we’re at the stage where we go in front of each other.

“I’ll bring my stuff out to the counter and work while you do.”

I cock my head, looking at Killian. It’s the strangest thing. He started so cold and now he doesn’t even want to work in a separate room… “All right. Sounds good.”

We take a shower, the kind that takes forever and is thoroughly satisfying. Then we eat and start our Monday.

I’m making great progress on the piece, and I feel good about it. Killian sets up at the island, working the morning and afternoon away. At one point, he takes a call, disappearing into his office, where I hear the beeping of the fax machine.

As the sun sets, he stretches, picks up the phone and orders dinner. “Mind if I turn on the telly?”

“Not at all,” I say, assessing the shadowing I’m completing on the chin. It’s got to look strong, commanding, but I don’t want the look to be too harsh. The longer I know Killian, the more I feel his softer side.

I distantly hear the news playing as I mix some of the blue with black, dotting an almost stubble along the jaw. He somehow sports a constant five o’clock shadow.

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