Page 34 of Devil’s Candy

“In fact, I never meant to like you this much. You”—his lips slide over my skin—“have won me over despite my best intentions to remain detached.”

“Oh.” This one comes out on a long sigh. Because I’d really like to win him over. But I heard the other part too. He doesn’t want to want me.

And that is so predictably me to choose a man who’s resistant from the start. I close my eyes, feeling his mouth on my skin as he kisses along my collarbone.

I don’t want to think about it. Sver has been going through my life and making it better. And that alone is enough.

I won’t ask for more and I’ll be grateful for whatever he chooses to give.

He lets go of one of my hands to lift up his T-shirt, still draped over my body.

I’ve only got a little pair of panties underneath, but he skims over them to run his fingers up my belly and then to my chest where he cups one of my breasts.

I arch into the touch, my nipple puckering with pleasure.

His touch always feels so good.

“Are you sore, sweet treat?” he asks as he dips his head to suck my nipple into his mouth.

I let out a little moan of pleasure. “Only one way to find out.”

He doesn’t lift his head as his hand skims back down my rib cage and over my belly, back to my panties.

He dips his fingers under the waist band and slides his fingers through my folds.

But the second he starts to push his finger inside me, I hiss in a breath of pain.

“That’s a yes,” he says as he lifts his head, his eyes intent upon me as he eases out his finger. He slides up, giving me a soft kiss on the mouth. This one is gentle and feels like an end rather than a beginning.

“It doesn’t mean we have to stop.”

He cups my jaw, his brows lifting. “You need me to take care of you, don’t you?”

My lips part, the word yes dancing on my tongue. But he kisses me again, before he slides off me. “We should get up anyway. I saw your appointment schedule, it starts soon.”

“What will you be doing while I’m at the club?” I ask, nipping at my lip. Sver knows exactly where I will be and what I will be doing. But I don’t know much about him and his movements at all.

“I will be tracking down each of Marco’s associates to see what they might know.”

I sit up, his T-shirt falling back down my body. Is today all about me? “Really? Oh Sver, I’m sorry. I…”

He leans back over, kissing me again. “No apologies. I made a promise to you that I will keep.” He straightens back up. “Besides, this helps Angel too. And I got an update on my daughters for my part in protecting you. Everyone wins.”

I nod my agreement, but inside I die a little. I don’t blame him. He should be getting something out of all this protection, but this small part of me had hoped he was doing all of this because he cared.

Silly girl.

I slide from the bed and head into the shower even as Sver turns toward the kitchen.

I shower, shave, and blow out my hair as quickly as I can, applying my normal makeup that helps fortify my spine.

It’s like my armor.

“Breakfast,” Sver calls.

I step out in my ripped jeans and tight T-shirt to find a full spread of eggs, bacon, toast, and coffee.

“Wow.”