Page 28 of Tangled Desires

“Well, for the time being, we decided to go back and forth. I know that won’t last forever, but I’d like to at least live there before making any big decisions.”

“You could always do what Lennie does.” Winnie nods her way.

“What’s that?” I really hope it’s not turning it into one of those vacation-style homes. My neighbors would probably kill me. I’d no doubt be a bundle of nerves, and the logistics of keeping it clean non-stop would kill me.

“I keep the house next door reserved for friends and family. One day, I’ll figure out what to do with it, but for now, it gets used quite frequently.” Lennie takes a bite of her cheesecake.

“The only problem with that is I’m not sure mine would be used all that much. I’ve got Naomi, my mom’s best friend, but she spends most of her time in Paris, and unless her new beau changes her mind, I don’t think she’ll be in the Statesmuch longer.” I’ve chewed on this idea, too, plus the possibility of renting it out again, and while I know the damage wasn’t the last tenant’s fault, the thought still makes my gut sink.

“Oh, well, I might be able to help with that. If you want, my house isn’t big enough for the whole Johnson clan. Especially if my sister comes into town. They literally make this group look small. Maybe we can work something out, and if not, please feel free to tell me no,” Lennie suggests.

“You know, I like that idea a lot better. Can I get back with you once everything is settled?” There’s still a lot left to do, and Jagger mentioned the kitchen being the biggest setback with the lead time for kitchen cabinets.

“Of course. Excuse me, I see my niece found a different dessert. She must have been holding it back because I didn’t see that on the table to begin with.” Lennie dashes away, well, tries to as much as she can with her pregnancy belly.

“Hey, Lili, you ready to head home?” Jagger comes up behind me, hands wrapping around my chest and pulling me close to him.

“I am.” I look around. Everyone has dispersed, hanging with their men. A few of the girls are yawning, and I’m suddenly feeling the same.

“Let’s get outta here. Ready to have you in my arms, the game on, and you writing in your journal while Shadow begs for some ear scratches.” The scene he sets is the perfect end to our evening.

“Take me home, Jag, please.”

“My fucking pleasure.” He pulls back, captures my hand, laces our fingers, and then we’re off to say our goodbyes.

21

JAGGER

“Lyric, are you okay?” I come barreling through the door. Her text came through in the middle of the meeting, letting me know she wasn’t feeling well and would be taking a nap. I responded when I got out, an hour fucking later. The commercial building we’ve been trying to break ground on keeps hitting red tape after red tape. Joss is now working on another problem with it, and I’m done for the day. Lyric never responded to my message, and she didn’t answer when I called. It sent me spiraling, and I made a quick call to Joss telling her to clear my schedule, and I hightailed it home.

Shadow isn’t in the living area, and neither is Lyric. I kick my boots off where I stand; a task I forgot to do it in the garage, my mind so focused on my woman that thinking straight isn’t happening. I walk through the house, noticing the kitchen is clean, nothing is out of place, but the house isdarker than usual. The curtains are pulled closed, and only one lamp in the living room is illuminated.

“Jagger?” She sits up in bed, hair pulled up on top of her bed in a bun, one of my shirts covering her, except it’s hanging off her shoulder because it swallows her body whole.

“What’s wrong? You didn’t answer your phone.” I pull my shirt over my head, undo the buttons on my jeans, push them down, and walk toward her.

“My period. This is the first month I’ve been on this prescription. I wanted to try a different form of contraception, and so far, it’s so bad. The cramps are unbearable, and so is the headache.” Her voice is quiet, hoarse, and I can see her wincing with each word.

“Trust me?” I ask, lifting the sheets up and sliding in beside her. Shadow lets out a meow, annoyed that I didn’t stop to give him attention. He’ll have to wait his turn, the needy thing. Right now, Lyric needs me more.

“Always,” she replies. I’m careful not to jostle her too much. I prop the pillows behind my back to lean up against and then help maneuver her until she’s settled between my legs.

“I’m going to relieve the pressure, get you in the shower, feed you, and then if you’re still not feeling better, I’ll call Luke.” I lift her shirt so my warm hands can cup her lower abdomen, slowly rubbing her up and down, side to side, and feeling her body slowly relax.

“Jagger, that feels so good.” Her head tips up, her eyes flutter closed, and I can feel goose bumps pebbling her flesh. I keep my hand above the band of laceconfection she’s wearing. Thongs. It doesn’t matter the day of the week or the time of the month, it seems. Which means this will make it even easier for me and hopefully will relieve some of the pain she’s feeling.

Lyric relaxes into me, giving me more of her body weight. The soft sighs tumbling from her lips tell me to keep going. The tips of my fingers lightly graze beneath her panties. “Still okay?” I ask her. I’m trying to comfort her, not freak her out.

“Yes.” Green eyes meet mine. The pain I see behind them cuts me to the quick. I’m half tempted to call Luke to make an emergency appointment. Fuck, I definitely will if this doesn’t work.

“I’m going to use my fingers on you.” Lyric shows a sign of hesitation, causing me to pause from proceeding further.

“But I’m on my period, and I have a tampon in,” she states with confusion.

“I’m not going inside. I’ll make you feel good. It’ll alleviate the pain. If I’m wrong, we’ll never try this again,” I explain. She opens her thighs, trusting me, and my fingers come in contact with the light landing strip of hair. It’s manicured, trimmed, and hot as fuck. I keep one hand on her lower abdomen, rubbing the ache, plus the heat radiating off my body gives her some added relief. While my other continues the journey, teasing her while making my cock hard as steel. This is for Lyric, not for me, and the damn thing will have to wait, even if my dick is pressing into her lower back.

“We’re not calling Luke,” she grouses, not liking the idea of having him check her out. The feeling is entirely mutualwhen it comes to any part of my woman being naked, except he wouldn’t do any type of exam on her. What he’d do is give her something for the pain and suggest a better alternative to the bullshit she’s on now.

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