Page 49 of Pieces of Heaven

Xenia’s face goes flat as she considers how she assumed wrong. Her hand leaves my stomach and rests in her lap.

“Where did you eat?” I ask again.

“Juan’s Cantina.”

“You know that place is owned by a guy name Fred, don’t you?”

“Well, that would explain the striking lack of flavor.”

Studying her face as the sun’s golden hue fades, I ask, “Who did you eat with?”

“No one.”

“Were you lonely?”

“No,” she says and exhales before smiling. “I spent my dinner thinking about you.”

“Why?”

“Why not? What else should I think about?”

Grinning at how she tosses her feisty tone in my direction, I glance over at the cat hiding in a small dog house. “Is that your stray?”

Xenia’s expressive face reveals worry. “I’m scared about when Rose the Cat goes into labor. I’ll want to help her, but I read how I should leave her alone.”

“What are you planning to do with all those cats?”

“Do you think she’ll leave after she delivers?”

Eyeing the cat, I sense she knows she’s got a nice lady on the hook for free food. “Can’t imagine she’ll go too far now that you’re feeding her. I hope you’re not as welcoming of raccoons.”

“If I get into a turf war with one, I’ll be sure to call you.”

Chuckling at her teasing, I give in to my urge and stroke her cheek. Her skin feels too breakable against my busted knuckles. Xenia sighs wistfully as her eyes nearly close. She leans into my touch, craving me in a reckless way.

I don’t dare warn her away from this thing we’ve ignited. Xenia’s a grown woman. If she wants to get herself worked up over a guy like me, who am I to stop her?

“Where did you sleep last night during the storm?” she asks as her fingers caress my knuckles. “I worried you weren’t safe.”

“You shouldn’t do that.”

Xenia studies me before shrugging. “My parents told me what to do all my life. I didn’t have to obey them, but I was weak. Right now, I’m choosing to be strong and own my choices. So, Hobo, no matter your intentions, don’t tell me what to do.”

I chuckle at her attempt to put me in my place. Xenia nudges my knee with hers and exhales in that way a lady does when she wants a man to kiss her.

My fingers disappear in her thick hair, cupping the back of her head and bringing her closer. Xenia’s gray eyes fucking glow as she waits for my affection.

I hesitate under such pressure. I recall the impossible stress I had on my shoulders as a kid when I tried to save Kourtney. It was too much. I was never more relieved than when she moved away for school and that burden lifted from my shoulders.

Now, I’m taking on the wellbeing of this woman. Like Kourtney, Xenia owns a part of my heart I never show anyone.

Except I know this dating thing is a fucking joke.What am I even doing here?I need to bail now. Not in a few weeks. Not when Xenia is bored and moves on. I need to go now!

These words echo in my head. They make sense in a way few things do.

However, even while begging myself to run away, I’m already pulling Xenia closer. Her lips wait for mine. They already belong to me. I refuse to give them up yet.

Xenia opens up for my probing tongue. I need to take everything from her. If I break down her willpower, I can keep her with me. There’s no other way. I need Xenia to stay. She should be mine, even if she’d be happier somewhere else.

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