Page 97 of Fragile Lives

He looks around as if seeing it all for the first time. “Since you’ve been here, everything is the same…But not, at the same time. Does that make sense?” His brows pull together.

I walk around the table and stop between his spread legs.

“It does,” I whisper. “You like having me here.” I don’t ask—I state.

“I do. I think that’s what I was missing.” Then the familiar mischievous look lights up his eyes. “A hot woman in my kitchen, cooking me some raw meat.”

I smack his shoulder with my fist. “Then go find yourself any hot woman.”

“I should.” He bites his lips.

“You should.” I mimic the gesture, and his eyes dip to my mouth.

“I don’t think I can find someone hotter, though.” His voice turns hoarse.

“You probably won’t,” I whisper and put my hands on his shoulders.

“Then I should settle with you.” His large hands land on the sides of my waist.

“You should.” I lick my lips, knowing it drives him crazy.

And on cue, he pulls me into him with athudand his lips land on mine. My hands move to the back of his neck, one of his most sensitive places. I know he likes me taking charge from time to time, and this is how I can control the kiss.

But this time, he doesn’t want it because his palm grabs the back of my neck, and he moves my head to the side, controllingme. Then his mouth lands on my neck as he starts sucking on the skin. Then he bites—a little painfully—and I gasp. He kisses the sting away, but I’m a little shocked. I’m always up for some fine line between pain and pleasure, but this bite stepped a little over it.

“Ouch,” I say and pull away.

“I’m sorry, Lei. I had to do that.” There’s no remorse on his face.

“Why?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“Cherry called today and said I have to come to the office tomorrow to sign some things. And I will have to leave you there hanging out by yourself for ten minutes.”

“And?”

“Ten minutes in a place like mine for a woman like you is a lot.”

“A lot for what?” I can feel my forehead wrinkling.

“For snatching you. Obviously.”

I begin laughing. “That was a good one.” I think he’s joking, but he’s dead serious.

“I’m serious. You are clearly into tats and bad boys, and there is plenty of that there. I don’t want to risk it.”

“And that?” I point at my neck.

“That’s my insurance that everyone will stay the fuck away.”

He’s dead serious, and I want to laugh. Like laugh to the point I’ll start crying, but his face tells me that it’s a bad time for joking. So, I sober up, come closer to him, and put my hands on his shoulders. Tactile contact always helps to deliver the message better.

“Why do you think I’ll jump ship the moment I see some other hot dude?”

He swallows before speaking. “Because I still can’t believe you’ve chosen me.”

“Stephan,” I whisper, surprised at how insecure this wonderful man can be. “I can’t believe that you chose me either. I’m a small-town girl, a boring sample of rural life, and you’re a city millionaire with an empire you’ve built yourself. With a body and face of a Greek god. I’m sure there are thousands of women willing to warm your bed, and yet here you are, playing house with me. Do you think I’m not scared?”

“You shouldn’t be.” His eyes move between mine as his hands squeeze my waist. “You should never fear I’d choose someone else. That I’d even look at someone else.” He chuckles. “Hell, that I’d even think about thinking of looking at someone else.” He takes my chin between his fingers. “You are the only thing holding me together. And the whole world knows that. If you ever leave me, I’ll fall apart.”