Page 15

EMBER

“I can’t believe you used sex to distract me today, and so that I missed going in,” I snap, complete and totally fuming while glaring at Cerberus, hands on my hips.

Cerberus had just told me that I wasn’t going to work and that he’d called in for me.

He explained that I couldn’t make it due to being sick, which was code for being in danger.

I didn’t care about his reasons for it. Those reasons he also shared.

He should have spoken to me about it first. Let me know what he knew, and I could have made the decision for myself.

“You’re gonna have to get over it,” Cerberus remarks nonchalantly. Like it wasn’t a big deal. “Told you I’ll do whatever the hell I need to do to keep you safe, and that’s what I’m doing.”

“So, what, you used sex as a way of distracting me from your decision? Huh?” A part of me hurt at the very thought. If that were true, then he used me. Again.

“I might have used sex to distract you, baby,” he states, coming close to me. “That don’t mean I didn’t do it for the sheer pleasure of distracting us both. Think of us using today as catching up on the past.”

“You can’t be serious.” Glaring at him, I take a step back.

“I’m dead serious, Em.” Cerberus steps into the space I’d stepped back from, his hands going to my waist, tugging me against him and wrapping his arm around me.

“I’ll do what I’ve got to do to keep you safe.

If that means calling into work so that no one can get to you there, then that’s what I’ll do.

If I’ve got to tie your ass to my bed, lock you down, chain you up, that’s what I’ll do.

See where I’m going with this? I’m not going to let this fucker get his hands on you again. I won’t risk you.”

“You still could have given me the choice. Let me decide for myself.” I huff.

Though, I’ll admit, even if just to myself, that I like that he wanted to keep me safe and not risk me.

I’m just not letting him know my thoughts on this.

If he knew, I’m sure Cerberus would take advantage of it at every chance he had.

“Could’ve, but I wasn’t gonna end up fighting with you.”

I open my mouth to argue when he keeps going.

“Don’t tell me it wouldn’t have ended up with us fighting. You might not think it, but I know you, baby. Know you’d end up arguing with me. Then I’d have to fuck you all over again to distract you into forgetting what we were arguing about.”

Well then.

My body heats at the thought of him being inside me all over again.

It’s not like we didn’t have sex all afternoon.

I mean all afternoon. We didn’t stop going at each other except for the few moments between rounds where we caught our breath.

A couple times, he’d get out of bed, grab a cloth, and use it to clean me up before going down on me all over again.

The whole afternoon was hot, and I want to do it all over again. No matter the fact that my body is feeling the effects of a sex-a-thon with Cerberus in a much sore way. Not that I would complain about it in the least bit.

Before either of us could jump the other all over again, a loud pounding knock jerks us out of our thoughts. From the way Cerberus clenches his teeth and adjusts himself behind his jeans, I’m guessing his thoughts were right there with my own.

Clearing his throat, Cerberus shouts, “Yeah?”

“Hate to break up the fun party between you two, but we’ve got company, brother.” I recognize Azrael’s voice immediately.

“Who?” Cerberus demands, moving to the door and jerking it open.

“Someone you don’t want visiting right about now,” Azrael answers, looking at me rather than Cerberus.

“Who is it?” I ask. I don’t know anyone who would want to visit me here at the clubhouse.

“Jon Coleman.” When he answers, Azrael looks to Cerberus.

I follow suit to see Cerberus’s jaw tighten and his hands clench into fists.

Oh.

This isn’t a good idea for Jon to be here. Not with Cerberus and me . . .

“Want to explain why Jon would be visiting the clubhouse to see you?”

Jon and Cerberus don’t get along. Or they didn’t before I left for college.

Jon wanted to date me well before I started it with Cerberus, and he didn’t let up in the time we were together.

It caused trouble, though Cerberus didn’t have anything to worry about.

Not then and definitely not now. Though we’re still new.

Very new.

I’m only just allowing myself to admit it secretly within my own head.

The fact Jon is here comes as a surprise to me, but not really.

Since he found out I was back in town, he’s been in contact.

A couple of times, he’s asked me out. I don’t know why.

I used my breakup with Dex as an excuse for not being ready to date, but if he’s here, there’s no way he won’t see me and Cerberus together and know I’m with him.

This could end up being a colossal fuck that ends with the two of them fighting. God knows I hope it’s not what’s going to end up happening.

“I don’t know why he’s here,” I answer truthfully.

“You talk to him since being back home?”

Of course, Cerberus would ask this.

“I’ve run into him a couple times. And before you ask, yes, he asked me out. Though, I told him no each time. I wasn’t ready to date anyone.” Okay so maybe I shouldn’t have added that last little part because Cerberus cocks a brow and stares directly at me.

“Azrael, we’ll be out in a minute. I’ve got to have a word with my woman before we come deal with our company.”

“Right.” Azrael grunts and chuckles. “I’ll let Reaper know.”

The door closes, and I guess it’s Azrael that shuts it for us, considering Cerberus doesn’t take his attention off me.

“Why is Jon wanting to ask you out?” Cerberus asks, his tone filled with annoyance.

“I don’t know.” I huff out, knowing exactly where this conversation is going to lead. “How about you ask him? Maybe he just wants to date me. Did you ever think of that?”

Cerberus closes the distance between us and presses me against the wall behind me. “Cool it with the attitude, Ember. You always did this shit back then. I’m not dealing with it this time around.”

“Seriously,” I snap, narrowing my gaze, hoping to give him the glare to end all glares. “You want to blame me?”

“Not blaming you, Em, but you got to admit, I’m right, he was constantly in our business back then. Good ol’ Jon wanted in your pussy something terrible. He wanted what was mine. And it looks like he still wants what I’ve claimed.”

“Claimed?” My heart nearly stops at one word .

“Yeah, claimed,” Cerberus says, dipping his head until we’re nose to nose, hands caging me in on either side.

“You’re mine, Ember. My woman. My ol’ lady.

I’m not some punk like back then that will put up with shit like this.

Not anymore. You’re mine and I’m not going to let some needle dick come between us. ”

Needle dick?

Did he seriously just call Jon a needle dick?

I can’t help but start giggling at the thought.

“Ember,” Cerberus growls, his fingers come to my jaw, forcing me to look up, “none of this is funny.”

“Yes, it is. You called Jon a needle dick?” I say and start giggling all over again.

“Don’t see it being funny,” he grumbles.

“Trust me, it is,” I tell him and decide to put his mind at ease.

I wasn’t in the mood to clean up blood. Not when I could be doing much more pleasurable things once we get rid of Jon.

Sliding my hands up his chest, I curl my fingers around his shoulders.

“You don’t and never did have anything to worry about when it comes to Jon.

He’s just an annoyance. I wouldn’t have then or now agreed to go out with him. ”

Cerberus seems to watch me closely as I speak, but the minute I stop speaking, his lips are on mine and he’s kissing me. Deep and thoroughly. It’s a kiss that leaves my knees weak and wobbly. If I weren’t holding on to him, I’d end up crumbling at his feet. Not that he’d let that happen.

Knowing Cerberus, he’d never let me fall. He’d catch me before ever letting me hit the ground.