Page 177 of Carnal Games

Hugging him, I close my eyes. Before I succumb to sleep, I whisper, “Thank you for tonight, Kian.”

“For?”

“Making me forget about the attack.”

“Shh… You’re safe.” Kissing my forehead, he commands softly, “Sleep, rainbow. I got you.”

Chapter Forty-Six

Kian

I can’t recall the last time I was both excited to wake up in the morning and subsequently reluctant to get out of bed.

Least of all because of a woman.

For the past eighteen years, serving my country and then building my business from the ground up have been the focus of my life. Work has been my only constant companion. I had resigned myself to a solitary life. It was enough and never made me feel like I was missing something vital.

As I stare down at my sexy little siren draped over half my body like I’m her pillow, I realize I haven’t been living at all.

My gray world was a prison of my own making. One I sentenced myself to.

The past few weeks, filled with Iris’s exuberance and blinding light and kaleidoscope of colors, are when I’ve felt the most alive.

I could have this for the rest of my life. God knows I badly want it. I just need to remove the two biggest hurdles standing inmy way. The unknown ghost after her and the engagement with Nathan.

Until then, I will show her I’m the man for her. I’ll lower my walls until there are no secrets between us. I want to let her in completely, including telling her why I separated from my family all those years ago. Or rather, cruelly kicked to the curb.

Iris stirs, yanking me from the tragedy of my past.

I brush the silky strands away from her heart-shaped face. Even after sleep, her hair is straight as an arrow. So shiny that sunlight could bounce off them. As I keep caressing them, she sighs and snuggles deeper against my chest. The leg tangled between mine shifts higher, dangerously close to my rock-hard cock.

Breathing through my nose, I ignore my raging hard-on. Instead of rising and starting my day, I watch her. My salvation packed in a small and gorgeous beauty.

I memorize every inch of her features. The long and black eyelashes grazing the tops of her cheeks. The parted lips as she softly breathes deep in her sleep. The serenity on her face. I vow to never steal it away or let anyone else be the reason.

Minutes turn into half an hour when her lashes flutter, and she shifts. I hold still, not wanting to disturb her in case she wants to sleep a bit more. Honestly, I want to quietly watch her some more and stay cooped up in bed.

It’s as if a part of me is afraid we’ll never get another chance. All I’ll be left with is her scent on my pillows and sheets.

Making a cute little sound that goes straight to my dick, she stretches. Desire coils low in my groin at her back arching and pushing her tight nipples into my chest. The thin material of her tank doing nothing to hide the shape of them.

I tilt my hips away before her thigh can come in contact with my erection. The wait till I fuck her for the first time is torture but the victory will be far sweeter.

Sky blue eyes lock with mine. Peace settles somewhere between my chest when a shy smile lifts her lips.

“Hi,” she says in a throaty and husky voice. “Good morning.”

Lightly brushing my lips over hers, I murmur, “Morning, rainbow.”

A tremor rocks down her body. I suppress a groan, loving the effect I have on her. Rolling onto my back, I bring her with me and lay her over me.

“More cuddling?”

“Are you complaining?”

Propping her chin on her hands on my chest, she replies, “No. You’re comfy. But won’t we be late for work?”

“Maybe.” I can’t seem to care.