Page 43 of Beautiful Sinners

“Did I really just fall asleep standing up?”

Still holding me, Tristan hobbles us over to the bar stools, then lifts me and sets me down on one of the seats.

“Your snore is adorable.”

I smack him in his pectoral. “Ido notsnore.”

One side of his mouth lifts, and a dimple appears. “Keep telling yourself that, Red.”

Noticing that I’m the only one who sits to eat, per usual, I decide that I’m going to make it a priority once we get back to Darlington to eat regular family dinners together at the dining room table.

Hendrix places the most delicious omelet I’ve ever seen in front of me. “Eat before you crash, baby. You look about ready to drop.”

I feel like I could sleep a month, and it wouldn’t be enough. Funny how emotional exhaustion taxes your body worse than physical exertion.

Taking the fork Hendrix presents, I dig in like I haven’t had food in a week.

“We need to secure a couple of burner phones,” Constantine rasps.

Biting the prongs of the fork between my teeth to free up my hands, I sign, No more talking. Let your voice rest.

“Any tea around?” Tristan asks Hendrix.

“I didn’t see any. Only coffee.”

I perk up at that. “I’d love some coffee.”

“No caffeine. It’ll keep you up,” Hendrix replies.

“Coffee,” I insist.

He hands me a chilled bottle of sparkling water from the fridge instead, and I look at it with disgust.

“You are so damn dramatic about the stuff you put in your mouth.”

I twist the cap off and take a swallow, liking how the bubbles fizzle their way down my throat.

“Seeing as I’ve had your dick in my mouth, I disagree.”

He snorts, amused, then blatantly makes a show of adjusting himself.

“Problem?” I tease.

“You make my dick hard.”

He says it with such serious gravitas, I almost choke on my bite of egg. I guess I’m not the only one with a kink. Then again, based on the stuff I’ve heard the guys say about Hendrix’s sex life and from what I heard Serena scream from his bedroom, Hendrix has way more than one. And as much as I’d love to be angry about all the women he’s been with, I know it wouldn’t be fair to hold that particular grudge. The guys thought I was dead. Besides, Hendrix and I hashed out what we needed to on the plane. I only hope that with my sexual inexperience, I don’t disappoint him and can give him what he needs. I’m sure as hell going to try.

As an afterthought, I tell him, “I want you to get tested.”

A little late considering the things we’ve done.

Not offended in the least, Hendrix replies, “Already did. Results came in the other day. I’m clean.”

He did? When?

“I don’t know whether to be offended by your presumptiveness that you thought I was a sure thing, or grateful that you took the initiative before I ever asked.”

“Once I get my cock inside you, firefly, you’ll be screaming the walls down with your gratitude.”

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