Page 96 of Witness Protection

Chapter Nineteen

There was nothing Cayden wanted more, but he wasn’t going to fuck Sophia in the nasty shack by the river. That place had its own set of twisted memories attached to it. He wanted to enjoy her in a proper bed. With his cock rock hard, his mind scrambled for options.

His neighborhood was close by. He’d take her to his apartment. Claim her in his own bed.

Then they’d return to the hotel, and he’d have equal ground with Hawk. Right now, Sophia belonged to the other man. Once Cayden had his way with her, she’d belong to him, too.

His secret was out in the open, and she hadn’t run the other way. There was no reason for him to push here away any longer.

The morning had already brought the city to life, but there on their way to the seedier end where Cayden grew up. He’d wanted Sophia to see a sunrise through his eyes, to have some time alone to express how this arrangement was screwing with his head. Part of him wanted to stab Hawk straight through the heart. Another part was curious, willing, and ready to commit.

The engine settled as he eased up on the throttle, parking his motorcycle in front of his shithole apartment. Maybe she’d think twice about him after seeing how he lived on a daily basis.

“Let’s go,” he said.

Cayden kept his guard up as they walked to the stairs to his basement apartment. He was on edge just being here again. It was different with Hawk there because they had the power of numbers and the burning desire to rescue Sophia.

“What is this place?”

“It’s my apartment,” he said as they descended the concrete staircase. “Or it was. Can’t exactly live here anymore after Hawk put me on the radar for every asshole in the city.”

“Should we be here?”

He turned to look at her. “Don’t think I can protect you?”

She shrugged. “Just saying.”

Cayden unlocked the door, then pressed a hand to her stomach, pushing her back. “Wait here a sec.”

He pulled out his Glock and did a full sweep of the small apartment. It looked ransacked, but that was how they left it. Cayden ushered Sophia inside and secured the door.

“Home sweet home,” he said, raising his arms to the sides before realizing he was still holding his gun. He holstered his weapon. “What do you think?”

“I think you need to hire a housekeeper … and a handyman.” She pointed to the numerous spots with drywall damage.

“I don’t like people in my space.”

“What about me? I’m here.”

He clenched his teeth as he watched her wander around, her little fingers touching everything in reach. She roused the beast in him with just her smile or the sound of her voice.

“You’re different. I plan to keep you.”

“Yeah?” She ran her hands up his chest, hooking her fingers behind his neck. He leaned down and kissed her on the mouth. They kissed, and the world went away.

He backed her up to the nearest wall and raised her arms above her head. Her pulse raced as he pinned her wrists high. “Stay like that. Just like that.” Cayden lifted her shirt. She’d gotten ready in a rush, so she wore no bra beneath. Her tits were perfect, her nipples tight little buds. “I remember these.”

“It’s not a game anymore,” she said.

He covered her nipple with his mouth. She mewled, dropping her arms, and combing her fingers into his hair. He suckled the other tit, thoroughly enjoying her sweet, young body.

“Only twenty-five. I’m a bastard for what I’m about to do.”

Cayden tugged her shirt off all the way and scooped her up into his arms to carry her to his bedroom. He tilted her to the side as he went through the doorway threshold, like newlyweds on their honeymoon. His bed was unmade.

He settled her down on the mattress and immediately tugged off her pants. She crawled backwards to the center of the bed.

“Scared?”

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