Page 138 of Dance of Defiance

“No, it's not that,” I say, shaking my head. “Like I said, Mom knew that he was out there fucking around all the time. But I think the only times it made her sad were the ones when he didn’t come home at night. Like, if he stayed over with whatever girl of the week he was with at the time.”

Val’s brow cocks, and his lips twist into a small grin. “I see…”

I smile wryly. “Welcome to my fucked-up head.”

“Hmm…” he murmurs, pulling me close. “I like it in your fucked-up head.” He kisses me softly, and I cup his face as I kiss him back. “Brutal honesty?” He sighs. “I think your take on this is fucking ridiculous.”

I scowl, and he grins.

“But Irespect it.”

I smile weakly. “Thank you.”

“No problem. But sooner or later, little wreckage,” he murmurs, kissing the side of my neck. His teeth sink into me, making me gasp.

“…Iwillkeep you here overnight. Even if I have to tie you to the bed.”

24

VAL

I can’t sayno to ultimatums, and I can’t back down. Someone probably should have warned Roman about that.

I think it’s a byproduct of growing up in foster homes. If some kid laughed because you couldn’t shoot a three-pointer at the park? You went home and fucking practiced that shit until your fingers bled. Someone said that house on the corner was haunted? You damn well went inside.

Because in the foster system, that attitude is what separated the strong from the weak. It’s what got you passed over by the predators, because they’re looking for something fragile and pathetic, and if you make sure you’re not either of those, you live to see another day, untouched.

The problem is, no onehaswarned Roman about my thing with ultimatums.

So today is about to beveryfun.

Today, I have a surprise for him. Forus, really.

He might not like what I’m about to do. Actually, I’m pretty sure in the short term, he’s going to want to kill me. But long term?

He’ll be thanking me. On his knees. Like he’s going to be, in a minute.

I fuckinglovethat glint he gets in his eye when he’s about to wrap his mouth around my dick. There’s clearly this battle of wills or morals going on inside him, even though we both know the horny side is going to win out.

Again, this is one of the things I get so hard over when it comes to him: the fact that he’s usually this ultra-growly bratva tough guy with tattooed knuckles, a savage glint in his eyes, and an love of blood and violence. But when he’s with me, he drops to his knees and moans like an eager little slut around my cock.

It’s knowing I can tame that beast in him that makes me so fucking into him.

Roman reaches down and peels off his t-shirt, tossing it away as my eyes hungrily roam his torso. Fucking hell, this is also what I love about him: the ultra-masculine look, the ink, the muscles, the whole “man’s man” vibe he gives off.

I’ve never been a huge fan of super femme dudes, which I realize makes little sense considering that I also fuck women. Maybe I just view genders differently. With girls, yeah, I want soft, petite, smooth, feminine vibes. But guys? I want them to bemen. Not a total “bear” or anything—super hairy with a big belly and thick arms, like all the twinks with daddy issues gravitate to. That’s not Roman at all, anyway.

He’s got this “hot guy mowing the lawn next door” kind of look. Like an all-American college quarterback who bought a motorcycle and got a bunch of tattoos after graduating.

Fuck, I don’t even know what I’m saying. It doesn’t matter. The second Roman’s knees hit the floor in front of me and he reaches for my belt to pull it open, my mind always goesblank.

I groan as I sink back into the couch, watching Roman eagerly yank my jeans down my hips. My cock springs free from my boxers, and I hiss in pleasure as Roman fists it, slowly pumping up and down before lowering his mouth.

Fuck…

For a moment, I’m so lost in the pleasure of his lips wrapping around my dick and his tongue teasing the slit at the tip that forget to glance at my watch. But when I do, groaning as Roman sucks me deeper, a grin pulls at my mouth.

If she’s punctual, things are about to get?—