Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
***
I’m still on cloud nine as I shower once we get home. Dylan didn’t join me because he had to take a call. That phone is always ringing.
I’m not stupid and I’m not in denial. I’m dating a guy with some deep connections in the underworld. I know the signs from growing up with Theo.
Theo may have been low level at best, but he had people around all the time who were the real danger. It’s another reason I would never leave my brother behind with those assholes. There’s no telling how they would have tried to use Ciarán.
When Dylan has to deal with business, I fade into the background and mind my own business. If I’m honest, watching him in action is always sexy. He has a command of his guys that demands respect. In fact, I get the same vibe from his brothers as well.
It’s funny. Dylan seems so quiet and reserved outside of business and the ring, but when it comes to business, it’s like a switch flips. The shy, quiet guy fades and he becomes someone else completely. It’s the same way in the bedroom.
Which leads me to the change that happened earlier this evening. He has been a bit distant since. I don’t know what I said wrong.
I try to figure it out as I absentmindedly rub on lotion and put on a pair of shorts and a cutoff T-shirt. Once dressed, I make my way downstairs to where I left Dylan when we came in. I note that music is playing as I move down the steps.
When Dylan comes into view, I stop and stare at him. He’s sitting, staring down into his palm, lost in thought himself. He frowns and murmurs something I can’t hear.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, causing him to snap his head in my direction.
“Yeah, come here,” he says as his gaze roams over me.
I bite my lip and pad across the room to him. When I stop between his legs, he places his hands on my hips and draws me into him to straddle his lap.
He places his head against my chest and holds me in his arms as we sit in silence for a moment. I run my hands through his hair as my thoughts race.
“Did I say something wrong?” I blurt out when I can’t hold it in any longer.
He lifts his head and looks me in my eyes. I search his gaze, trying to see what I’m missing. I see frustration and … guilt, but that doesn’t seem right.
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve been distant since I said … when I said I’m never leaving. Something changed. Was that too much?”
He scoffs. “I pray you meant every word. I’m just frustrated with some shit I have going on. It’s not you.”
“Anything I can help with?”
“No, I’ve got it. It’s already being handled.”
“Are you sure? I’m here, Dyl. I know you have things you don’t want me to know about, but I’m here if you ever need me to be. You can trust me,” I say.
He grasps the back of my neck and crushes my lips in a deep kiss. I moan into his mouth as I return the kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck as he slips his hands up my sides until his large palms settle beneath my breasts, which are bare and peeking out the bottom of my shirt.
As he moves his lips to my neck, I lift my gaze to the ceiling. I shiver as he rubs his thumbs across my nipples. My eyes roll back as he pinches my hardened peaks between his fingers, while he nuzzles and kisses my neck.
“Do you know how perfect you are? You’re everything I’ve ever wanted and more. I do trust you, Ciara. You never have to question that.
“I don’t want you to worry about any of my shit. I’m taking care of everything that needs to be taken care of. All you need to concern yourself with is being happy,” he whispers into my ear.
“Then fuck me because that makes me happy,” I breathe back.
“That’s my girl. Stand up and take your shorts off.”
Dylan
“Come here,” I say once she has pushed her tiny shorts to the floor.
My gaze drops to her bare pussy and then lower to her cute little white-painted toes with the silver sparkles on them. Everything about her is perfect. Here she is telling me I can trust her when I’m the one who can’t be trusted.
She comes to me and climbs back into my lap. Cupping my face, she kisses me like the angel she is. I consume and devour her like the bastard I am.
“I love you,” she whimpers into my mouth.
I swallow the words from her lips along with the bile that rises. I feel sick to my stomach. So much guilt is eating at me.