Page 138 of Judgment

I waited months to Google what those two words meant. Just the way he says them made it clear that I might be overwhelmed when I found out.

And I was.

My soul.

I know he thinks it’s true. That I’m the reason he’s different than he was.

But I’m not.

Andre hasn’t changed. Not on the inside at least.

I also have to wonder how much he’s really changed on the outside. Maybe I’m not the only one who always saw Andre for what he is.

I glance back over one shoulder at the little shelter and catch Ruby watching us, a little smile curving her lips. “I guess I’m in good company then, since I’m pretty sure I know where she got that chime.”

* * *

ANDRE

“UHH.”PAISLEY SOUNDS uncertain inside the large closet we share.

I’m not surprised.

She steps out into our bedroom, eyes wide as she looks down at the swath of red fabric wrapped around her body. “Where’s the rest of it?”

I know this dress is outside her comfort zone, but it’s a necessary evil. Like it or not, she has a position to uphold within The Association. She has to stand out and suck every bit of air from the room the second she walks in.

And this dress will definitely do that.

I slowly circle around her, barely resisting the urge to slide my fingers up the cut of a slit that reaches the spot where her leg and hip join. “Don’t claim you hate it.”

I know her. I know what she likes. Always have.

And my Paisley likes this dress, even if it’s nothing she would have been willing to choose herself.

She peeks at me over one shoulder as I move behind her, drinking her in. “I don’t hate it.” She wraps one arm over the wide swath of exposed skin across her middle. “I’m just worried people will think—” She bites the last bit off.

Paisley doesn’t want to care what people think of her, and for the most part she doesn’t.

But I know old habits die hard. It’s a fact I struggle with myself.

“People will wonder which one of us really holds the power.” I finish my slow perusal of her body and step in close at her front. “Because that dress will bring every man in the room to his knees.” I rest one hand on her hip, sliding it back to palm the swell of her ass as I pull her against me. “Including me.”

Her lips part and her lids droop, immediately making me reconsider my plan for the evening.

But I’ll regret it. Deeply.

“Come.” I use my hold on her ass to haul her in close beside me. “We have a reservation.”

“But—”

I swat her ass, earning a sharp gasp that shoots straight to my already aching cock. “No buts. We have places to be.”

Things to accomplish.

Futures to ensure.

Specifically, ours.

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