She pulls her lips between her teeth, then grins sheepishly. “I heard you that day—I think you were dictating a text. I thought … maybe you were meeting up with someone … for other reasons.”
I tilt my head back in an exaggerated nod and close the distance between us. “You thought I was hooking up with another woman.” I trail my thumb over her flushed cheek. “So my little firefly has a jealous streak.”
“It’s not like I’m the only one,” she counters. “Don’t forget your little meltdown over that poor yoga instructor.” She places her hand in mine and allows me to guide her from the bed and toward the bathroom.
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten about Chase.”
“You remember his name?”
“Of course I do. He and I had words.”
When I peer back at her with a smirk, her eyes are so wide I can see an entire forest in their depths.
“You didn’t,” she breathes.
“I absolutely did, and you can tamp down the righteous indignation. It’s not like I beat the man senseless.”
She props her hands on her hips. “Did youthreatento beat him senseless?”
I turn on the shower water and shrug. “I suppose that’s debatable.”
“DiAngelo!” Her attempt at outrage evaporates the second my lips connect with hers. She softens against me, her tongue tangling with mine. When I end the kiss, her hooded eyes are soft as velvet.
“That’s better.”
“Is that your plan for every argument? To sex me into submission?” Her tone tells me she’s not entirely opposed.
“That, or I can just keep you sex drunk so there’s no argument to begin with.”
A sleepy smile teases her lips wide. “I suppose it’s worth a try.”
I step closer, my face inches from hers, and snap my teeth playfully. She yips and devolves into a fit of giggles.
I could hear that sound every day for the rest of eternity and never tire of it.
We step into the shower. I make sure the water isn’t too hot because I’m sure the heat will feel extra intense on her burns. I still can’t believe she’s been living with that right under my nose. It’s something we’ll have to work together to overcome.
“There’s something I need from you,” I start while she allows the water to soak into her long auburn hair.
“What’s that?”
“I need you to promise me you’ll tell me if you’re struggling.”
She stills and opens her eyes despite the water droplets dotting her lashes. She doesn’t immediately respond, so I continue.
“I need to know when trouble’s creeping up so that I can be there to help. I … I lost my brother because I was too blind to see that I put him in danger, and I don’t want to make that same mistake with you.”
Terina’s hands come to rest on my abs before she hugs my middle. “I’ll tell you if I’m struggling.”
I gently hold her head against my chest and place a kiss on her crown.
“D, can I ask a question about your brother?” She pulls back to meet my gaze. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“You can always ask me anything.”
“Isa said it was a kidnapping, but you just mentioned putting him in danger—how could you be at all responsible for him getting kidnapped?”
I inhale deeply.
