When I open my mouth to argue, Eddie presses a finger to my lips.
“Let me finish, Kiki. I like you. More than I should, probably. I liked working with you. I liked being friends with you. I liked becoming closer to you.” He drops another kiss to my fingers. “And Ireallyliked what happened last night. I want to give this a real shot, but I can’t do that if you’re halfway out thedoor, thinking I’m too young for you. I can’t change my age, but I can promise it’s never going to be an issue for me.”
I can’t be sure if it’s the way he looks at me, or the way he makes me feel, or the timbre of his voice as it soothes the hurts, but I believe him.
And God knows I want him. If he wants to give it a real shot, I’m all in. How could I not be?
Skewing my mouth to the side, I release the fear, and just go with it. “Well, it’s a good proposition. You’re wonderful. Funny, kind, generous, gorgeous, a killer body, and…”
He leans in, swiping a finger along my jaw. “And what?”
I fall back against the chair, pulling my leg up as an indirect shield. “Fucking amazing in bed.”
Yep, my entire body is bright pink, for the tenth time this morning.
“What was that? Couldn’t quite hear you.”
Of course, the man heard me. He caught every word, but he’s going to make me say it again.
Fine. Two can play that game.
“I said,” my voice growing louder with each syllable, “that you’re fucking amazing in bed. The greatest time I’ve ever had. The things you do with your mouth should be illegal, and I’m still recovering.”
I sip my coffee, meeting his amused gaze head-on. “Did you hear me that time? Think I was loud enough for your neighbors?”
He pulls me from the chair and into his arms. “Yeah, I think they got it, although I think they got it last night too. Maybe I’ll go outside later. Show off my scratches. Really drive the point home.”
“That’s fine, so long as you tell them I’m the one who left them and that I don’t share.”
Do I sound like a possessive girlfriend? Maybe. Sue me. It’snot like I’d do anything to his admirers, although I know how to flatten a tire should someone come too close to my man.
My man.
Damn, but I like the sound of that.
But if my words bother him, he doesn’t show it. His grip tightens, his lips hovering against mine. “Kiki Wilder, are you laying claim to me?”
I raise a brow and drape my hands over his shoulders. “Well, you said you didn’t want this to be a one-night stand.”
“I did.”
“And I don’t want you having one-night stands with anyone else. So yeah. I guess I am.”
He releases an appreciative growl as he nips at my lips. “There she is.”
“Who?”
“The fiery little vixen who turned my world upside down last night.” His hands frame my face, thumbs swiping against my cheeks. “Don’t you ever hide her.”
His lips seize mine in a slow, drugging kiss, until I’m certain I’ll fall to the ground if I release my grip on him.
“Because I’m crazy about this version of you.”
Eddie whispers the words, but they hit deep. Because Drake never was.
Drake liked me polished. Controlled. Predictable. The version of me that didn’t say the wrong thing, didn’t laugh too loud, didn’t make public displays or attract attention. A placid version that made his life easier.
The perfect police chief’s wife.
