I take the gown from him and set it beside me before I lift my shirt over my head. “We’ll have to talk about her sometime. She was a big part of your life.”
“She isn’t anymore,” he replies firmly. “And sheneverwill be again. Effa, you’re my life now. So why drag her into it?”
I nod slowly, reaching behind to unclasp my bra. His eyes drop as my breasts fall free, and the air shifts between us. “Are you going to tell me what happened with you and her at the pub tonight?”
He exhales, dragging a hand through his hair. “I might’ve had some choice words.”
“Might’ve?” I raise a brow as I stand and deliberately unbutton my shorts.
He watches me without blinking, adjusting himself subtly as his gaze lifts to mine. “She cornered me in the hall and started mouthing off about you and the crew bringing drugs into town. I set her straight. Told her you didn’t overdose, that you were drugged. Then I politely suggested she leave.”
I laugh, sliding my shorts down and stepping out of them. “So she was crying because you were polite?”
His hands find my hips, warm and steady, sliding over my skin in a way that ignites something low and dangerous inside me. “Effa,” he warns.
“Mmhmm?” I step closer.
“Get dressed before I can’t help myself.”
His fingers glide up beneath the lace as I pull the nightgown over my head. The fabric settles against my skin, and his hands remain there, possessive and heated. He tugs me forward, and I gasp as I tumble onto him, straddling his lap.
A deep, rough sound vibrates from his chest, his hardness pressing against me through his jeans. His eyes darken when he looks up at me. “You’re supposed to be resting,” he growls, hands tightening on my hips. “That’s the only reason I’m nottaking this further tonight. Don’t mistake restraint for lack of wanting, Effa. I want you… bad. But the time will come when you’re screaming my name again, and I won’t hold back.”
He fists his hand in my hair and pulls my mouth down to his. The kiss is forceful and heavy with need and filled with barely restrained desire. He kisses me like he’s reclaiming something that was almost taken from him, like this is the first time since I woke from the coma that he’s allowing himself to truly feel it.
Every single time without fail, he does this to me.
I grind against him, a soft groan slipping into his mouth as his tongue claims mine. His teeth catch my bottom lip, not hard enough to hurt but enough to send a sharp pulse of pleasure straight through me. My fingers tangle in his hair while I rock against him, desperate for friction.
Suddenly, he stands, lifting me effortlessly before flipping me onto the bed. I squeal, laughter bubbling between kisses as he comes down over me, settling between my thighs. I wrap my legs around his waist as he presses closer, heat and weight and want surrounding me completely.
I like where this is going.
But the kiss slows.
He pulls back, brushing a strand of hair from my face, his expression softening. “You need to rest.” He sighs, kissing the tip of my nose.
I huff lightly, running my fingers through his hair. “We are really going to stop this?”
“Yes,” he says gently, brushing his thumb over my cheek. “You’ve only been out of a coma for a week, and I refuse to be the reason your recovery takes a hit. So no… no sex tonight.”
“But what if I just lie here and let you do all the work? I won’t exert myself… promise.” I grin wickedly.
He groans and pushes himself off me before temptation wins. I watch him pull his shirt over his head, his abs flexing, tattoos stark against his skin.
“Just get in the bed already, Miss Trouble Maker.”
“You’re no fun,” I tease.
“Keep it up, and I’ll have to punish you.”
My eyes widen. “Promises, promises.”
“I can’t fucking win with you, woman,” he mutters, climbing in beside me and pulling me into his arms.
I rest my head in the curve of his shoulder, breathing him in. “Nope! I’m too headstrong. You’ll never win, Kaden. Best admit defeat now.”
His hand slides slowly up and down my arm. “Babe, I’m the fucking winner here. I have you. You’re alive, we’re together, there’s no defeat in that.”
