I grab both her wrists, loop my fingers around them, and pin her to the headboard above her head. She's completely at my mercy, and we both know it.
“That's it,” I tell her. “I’m out of time, and you know it. So when I get home tonight, you aregettin’it.”
“Oh, really?” Her eyes are bright, challenging. “Is that supposed toscareme?”
“My god, I don't even have the ability to scare you anymore,” I say, though my heart's soaring. “Did I lose my edge?”
“Little bit.” She smirks.
“Well then, it seems Cavin may have to wait while I teach you some manners.” I lift her in one smooth motion, then bring my palm down on her arse with a satisfying crack.
She squeals, and I cover her mouth with mine, swallow the sound, and kiss her until we're both breathless.
“Later,” I rasp against her lips. “Later, you and I have a date, don't we?”
She nods. “A date.”
I don’t want to leave her.
“You go downstairs and get something to eat. Aunt Caitlin's been dying to feed you. And I have a feeling my cousins are eager to get to know you a little better, aren't they?”
She sighs. “I will, but… I’m not supersocial, Ashland.”
“I know,” I say, kissing her cheek again because I can't stop touching her. “And I promise, when this is over, you don't have to be. You can be as social or as antisocial as you wish. Deal?”
“Deal,” she says.
“Good. Okay.”
“Okay. Then take care of yourself or whatever,” she tells me, trying to sound casual, when I can see the concern in her eyes.
I tug a lock of her hair possessively. “Alright. Get on with you before I can't help myself any longer… pin you to this bed, and take you again.”
“Go.” She pokes me in the ribs. “You have things to do.”
I groan and adjust myself as I climb out of bed, cursing under my breath. “Thank you for that too.”
I can feel her watching as I dress. I catch her staring in the mirror's reflection and have to force myself not to climb back into bed with her.
Training with Cavin. Research on Marcus. That's what I'm doing today.
Then I'm coming back to her.
***
The indoor gym smells like sweat and leather… home. It was my sanctuary when I was stalking Bianca, the years I’ve spent here exorcising demons and training for what’s next.
Cavin's already here, wrapping his hands when I walk in. He looks up and grins. “Well, well. The ghost finally appears. Thought you'd gone soft on us, cousin.”
“Fuck off,” I mutter, but there's no heat in it. I’m holding back asmile.
“Brought your girl home then?” He ties off the wrap and tests his fist. “Family seems to like her well enough. Mam won't stop going on about how sweet she is, how polite.”
“Aye,” I say, starting my own wraps. Left hand first, the familiar ritual calming me. “She's perfect.”
“She know you're planning to murder her ex-fiancé?”
I pause mid-wrap and meet his eyes. “More or less.”
