Page 62 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

His hips buck and I lose my balance, falling forward and into his arms. Palming my face, he kisses me and rolls us, pinning me underneath him.

“Morning, beautiful,” he tells me, pulling away from my lips to look me in the eyes.

Before I can get a word out, his hand roams up my tank top until he’s cupping my breast over my bra.

“It’s looking like it may be a good morning too.”

Popping up, he gets between my legs. One side of his lips tips up as he eyes my center, probably thinking the same thing.

Just as he hooks his finger inside the waistband of my shorts, Gabriel’s wail comes through the door.

“No,” he groans.

I want to cry out my own protests, but it would be useless. I’d still have to get up and tend to him, so that’s what I do.

Swinging my leg around him, I crawl out of bed. Looking back, I see Drago fall face forward into the mattress.

“Jesus,” he lets out in frustration. “I need to fuck.”

“And apparently someone isn’t going to let that happen.”

Opening my bedroom door, I leave, crossing the hall to Gabe’s room—the small closet-like spare room I turned into a makeshift bedroom for him.

“Hey, little man,” I say, leaning over the crib, I pick him up. It reeks of shit in here, and if I were a betting woman, I’d bet it’s coming out the back of his diaper. This kid can produce the nastiest bowel movements. Alana says it’s the formula and if he were on breastmilk, it wouldn’t be so awful. I don’t know how true that is.

Holding him out, I twist him around, confirming my fears.

“Lord have mercy, kid.”

After I have him cleaned up, I feel like I need a shower. My skin has creepy crawlies.

Leaving his room, I take him back to mine. Entering, I catch Drago buttoning his jeans before swiping his phone and watch from the nightstand.

“You’re leaving?” I say, disappointment evident in my voice. He looks up, eyeing the baby first.

“Yeah, I have to head to the docks. There is a problem with a shipment I need to deal with.” He walks over. “Raincheck?” he asks, planting a kiss on my lips and pulling my hip into his crotch for good measure. “I meant what I said. I need to fuck, so plan on seeing me soon.”

“How soon?” I inquire.

He pivots at the door, facing me again.

“Tomorrow?”

“I don’t have any plans,” I say, nodding.

“Good. I have a box, and the 49ers are playing a game this weekend.”

Shock crosses my features. “What?” I haven’t been to a game this season and he’s just offered food to a starving horse.

“You’re wearing shorts with their emblem all over them. I’m taking it you’re a fan, so do you want to go?”

“Yeah, I am, and I do, but”—I look down at Gabriel—“I don’t have anyone that can keep him on such short notice.”

I know my neighbor would, but I’m not asking. She already keeps him enough when I’m working.

“Bring him. We’ll be in one of the suites. He’ll be fine.”

“You sure?”

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