Page 97 of Captive Audience

“You’re welcome, Knuckles.” Orla’s eyes flared at the nickname. One Asha clearly hadn’t heard before. “Cuz, I have to tell them the story about why we call you that.”

I stabbed a finger at her. “Don’t you fucking dare.”

“Yes, yes!” Asha clapped and bounced in her seat.

“Knuckles?” Finn frowned. “You mean it’s not because of all the bare-knuckle fights back in Derry?”

“Fuck me.” I grabbed the bottle of wine and took a swig. Talk about getting thrown under the bus by my own flesh and blood.

“When Rook was three, he had this manky stuffed bear he dragged everywhere. Called it Mr. Snuggles, but he couldn’t say it right, and it came out likeKnuckles. One day, the bear went missing. He cried for hours, walking up and down the street wailingMr. Knuckles, Mr. Knuckles. So the name stuck.”

I ran a hand down my face. “Thanks, Orrie.”

“Mr. Snuggles?” Asha clutched her chest. “That’s adorable.”

“I bet he still has that filthy thing,” Orla added.

“Right.” I pointed toward the elevator. “Everyone, get the fuck out. I’m taking my wife to bed.”

Asha frowned. “Party pooper.”

“You’ve done enough partying for one day, pet. Give me that.” I gestured for Asha’s wineglass. With a huff, she handed it over, and I put it on the table. Then I hauled her to her feet, threw her over my shoulder, and strode inside. The others could let themselves out.

“Hey!” Asha shrieked, pounding my back. “Put me down!”

I smacked her arse. “Quit wriggling.”

She squirmed harder, so I spanked her again. “They’ve had you all day. You’re mine now.”

I carried her through the apartment and into the en suite, where I set her on the bathroom counter.

She brushed her unbound hair from her face and stared daggers at me. “You don’t get to act like a caveman and boss me around.”

I stepped between her thighs, hands braced on either side of her hips, caging her in. “Go ahead and pretend you don’t like it, but we both know you do.”

Her green eyes widened, but she didn’t push me away. This close, I could count every perfect freckle across her petite nose. She smelled of red wine, my shampoo, and pure fucking temptation. All I wanted was to nuzzle her neck and inhale.

I kept my voice low. “Did you have fun today?”

She lifted her chin. “Yes. I had a fantastic time becauseyouweren’t there.”

“If you missed me, just say that.”

She eyed my sweaty gym clothes. “Where have you been?”

“Aidan and Orla’s gym. I go there most days. Usually shower and change before I come home.”

“That explains why you look the way you do.”

I tugged my singlet off and tossed it aside. “And how’s that, Wife?”

Her gaze roamed my chest before snapping back to mine. She wrinkled her nose. “Hideous. Like you’ve been hit in the face too many times. You must not be very good at fighting.”

“Bare-knuckle champ in Derry three years running.”

She tapped her chin. “Was that before or after Penny Malone handed you your ass?”

“Why do you think I learned how to fight? The only person I’ve lost to since then is Aidan. And Orla once, but I’d drunk a bottle of whiskey before running my mouth off at her, so that doesn’t really count.”