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“Anything I can help with?”

“I’ve got it covered, big boy. Do you need help washing all these muscles?”

“Aye, I can’t seem to get it all on my own,” he snorts.

Turning to face me swiftly, he grabs the back of my neck and crushes his lips to mine. I lift on my toes and lock my arms around his neck. In the next motion, he drops to his knees and has my legs wrapped around his head.

I toss my head back and lock my fingers in his thick, red locks. As I open to him, I realize I’m letting my guard down. My track record whispers this will end one of two ways.

He’s going to walk out on me, or he’ll be taken from me. I’m getting deeper into my uncle’s world. That could take Ronan away in so many ways.

I squeeze my eyes shut and close off all those thoughts. I want to be cared for. I want to be vulnerable around someone I care for. I want someone to give back what I give.

Ronan is out here—not a part of that world and he’s strong enough to handle me. For now, I’m going to keep having a taste of the dream.

CHAPTER26

Hot Games

Dean

Seven months later …

“Girl,didn’t I tell you, you don’t have to check on me every second like a toddler. Why do you think I moved back to my place?”

I smile as my mother sounds like her old self. I was sad to see her move out, but she was insistent. In the end, I figured it might be for the best.

Hudson has a team that watches her place twenty-four seven. They know to inform me immediately if anything happens to her. She’s been lively as ever since going back home.

“Mom, I was only calling to see if you needed anything.” I roll my eyes and shake my head.

“What I need is for you to get on one of those dating apps or at least give me an idea of your type. I need to know what I’m looking for.”

“Mom, for the millionth time, I don’t need you to find me a man.”

I groan internally as Ronan snaps his head up and narrows his eyes at me. We’ve been seeing each other for about eight months now. In the last two months, I’ve practically been living here.

Even when he has to take business trips, I’ve been sticking around to dog-sit. At least that’s what I’ve been telling him and trying to tell myself. The truth is, I sleep better in his bed.

I might not be able to be wrapped in his arms, but I’m surrounded by him in another way. I’ve allowed myself to get comfortable here. So much so, I purchased an apartment in the building for my men to be close by without alerting Ronan to their presence.

Ronan doesn’t seem to mind having me here so much. He is in the habit of making me breakfast in the mornings after we go for a run with the dogs. Usually, I sit and write a bit while he cooks.

Normally, I tend to have my talks with my mom when he’s not around. I still haven’t introduced the two. My gut keeps telling me it’s not a good idea.

“Whatever, Danika. If you didn’t need my help, you would have a man and I’d be spending time with my daughter to plan her wedding, not planning to take her to Vegas to help her find a man.”

“I’m not even going to entertain that one. When we go, we’re going away for some mother-daughter time. Nothing more.”

She huffs and I swear I can feel her rolling her eyes at me. This trip is going to be something else. I can see it already.

“By the way. I’ve been trying to get in touch with your sister. I thought it would be a good idea to invite her along on our trip. I was thinking that she and I could work on our relationship and sort some things out.

“I haven’t been able to reach her. Have you spoken to her lately? Maybe you can tell her to call me,” Mom says hopefully.

“We sort of fell out. I haven’t spoken to her in a while,” I say tightly.

I don’t tell her I haven’t spoken to my sister in almost a year and a half. That’s not a conversation I want to get into at the moment. I’ve washed my hands of Anika. There’s nothing I have to say to her.