“You followed me.” Not sure if it’s an accusation or question, but it doesn’t matter.
“I think I might have the follow Naomi around kink.”
“I better be the only one you have kinks over.”
“I promise you, it’s only you.” Naomi gently shifts, rolling over to face me, careful not to move me, but with these meds Idon’t think I’d feel much. I run my fingers up and down her bare arm, her skin always so damn soft. She’s back in a sports bra and those stretchy pants that mold to her.
“I should accuse you of having sent those men to try and save me to find good graces with my father.”
“But you’re not going to?” Her teeth sink into her bottom lip.
“Starting to see that you really only care about me.”
“And because I care about you, by default I have to have some care for the people around you.”
“Tell me—” Naomi rests her hand on my chest, staring up at me, her head now in my lap.
“It hadn’t been about you at first. I really was only aware of your name and that one day you’d like to take over for your father. My own father was scared of the Marino name, which fascinated me because he wasn’t scared of much. I found out their loose deal and knew it would only be a matter of time until he fucked it up.”
“We knew that too.”
“As I’m sure you have put together, I planveryfar ahead.”
A small laugh pops free from her, and fuck me, I swear that sound alone could make my aches and pains go away.
“You’re always a few steps ahead of me.” The corner of one side of her mouth pulls up. A week ago that would have pissed her off; now she’s impressed.
“I knew in time it would be you I’d deal with, and I needed all the intel I could get on you.” I smirk, thinking back. “You did not make it easy.”
“Really?” Her eyes light up for me.
“Yeah, really, but I got it after a while.”
“Whatever,” she huffs.
“The plan was to get information on you so I could understand you. Then when things came to a head with my father, I’d be ready, but things changed.”
“What? You saw me and became utterly obsessed.” She jokes, but I’m not sure she really is. “That’s what Nix would say.” Oh, and it’s what she wants me to say.
“Then Nix would be correct.” Naomi sits up. “Don’t.” I can’t let her go. Not right now.
“Not going anywhere.” She shifts to straddling my thighs, my legs kicked out in front of me on the bed. “For so long I wondered who you were. I don’t think I would have lived that day without you. We tried to find you, but you were a ghost.”
“You gave them a run for their money.” Her fingers go back to the tattoo I’d inked onto my skin all those years ago. It was a reminder of what happened and that it would change both of our lives. She had left a permanent mark on my soul that day. From that moment on, I knew without a doubt she was meant to be mine. That I would do whatever I needed to have her. To be her protector when she needed it most.
“It was my first kill.” I smile at that. I know it’s not a normal reaction for many, but it makes sense for us.
“It was my favorite kill.” The one she’d asked about when I’d told her my father was my second favorite. Her brows rise in understanding. “All of your firsts belong to me and always will.”
“Don’t get all cocky.”
“You bring it out of me.” Naomi leans in and presses her mouth to mine.
“We need to head back to the Marino estate.”
I nod, my body heavy. It will be safest there.
“We’re not parting ways.” I want to get that clear right now.
