Page 105 of Kings Don't Break

Calmer than I’ve ever been even as, in the recesses of my mind, I recognize I’ve got no shortage of troubles.

Those can wait. For now, I just want to soak up the warm comfort of the moment.

It goes on for hours. ’Til, gradually, dawns spills into the room by way of the part in the window curtains.

We’re so damn in tune with each other, I sense the moment Korine stirs. It’s in the subtle shift of her body wrapped up in mine. Her gentle fingers skim over my forearms locked about her hips and she nuzzles my face with hers.

I tighten my hold even more, taking in a deep inhale of her scent at the pulse point of her neck. Eyes still closed, voice low and raspy from sleep, I mutter, “Still early out. Another hour.”

Her smile’s a sound. “You forget I’m opening the shop?”

“So what? Open late. Nobody’ll give a fuck. Least of all me.”

“Mama has a doctor’s appointment. I already broke my rule about staying the night.”

My hold breaks and I roll onto my back, curling an arm under my head. “Then if you really want to go.”

“It’s not that I want to go. More like there are things I need to do.” She scoots up into a sitting position, the heavy blanket sliding down far enough that her bare thighs come into view. A distraction of silky smooth, golden-brown skin that’s too damn enticing first thing in the morning.

I force my attention to the ceiling, caught between a thread of bitterness and arousal—and a neediness that feels like it’s more dangerous than either of the others.

I don’t want Korine to go. I don’t want there to be some chasm between us. ’Cuz despite what happened last night, things still feel… unsettled. Like if I let her out of my sight, she’ll be gone for another ten years.

“Blake, look at me,” she murmurs. “I meant what I said last night.”

“Which part?” I snap before I can stop myself. “The part where you wanted to quit on us or the part where I made you come so hard you said I was the only man you’ve ever really wanted?”

Her expression softens. So damn beautiful, her short pixie hair sticking up and all. “You guess. Which do you think I meant?”

I blow out a breath. “I know where your heart lies. You can’t fake that kinda intensity. But it’s where your mind is that I’m worried about. That’s always caused us a hell of a lot of trouble.”

“What are you saying?” She frowns, her brows knitting.

“I’m saying… Kori, if you even try to sacrifice yourself…”

I trail off on that ominous note, leaving the rest to hang in the air as a mystery. But she gets it as my gaze slides over and meets hers. There’s a dawning in them before she quickly switches to glancing around the room.

“Don’t say it,” I warn. “Don’t even think it. Anything that’s happened—I don’t regret shit. I’ve got you back in my life. Which means none of it’s a mistake. All of it’s been worth it. The good, the bad, the fucking ugly.”

She bends her legs at the knee then leans forward to drop her face into them. “What are we going to do? How are we going to deal with what we’re up against? He won’t stop, Blake. He’ll never stop.”

“Then we’ll make him stop.”

“I don’t see how that’s possible. He told me he’d make sure you’re thrown behind bars.”

“I’ll handle it.”

When she raises her head and opens her mouth, I swoop in with more reassurance.

“I will,” I say, sitting up. I reach for her, pulling her toward me. Her almond-shaped eyes have no choice but to peer into mine as I hold her face and my thumbs trace the curve of her cheeks. “I’m gonna figure something out. I’ll put a stop to it.”

“Something that’s legal?” she offers weakly.

I answer by pressing a kiss to her lips. “Don’t worry about it. You at least got time for coffee?”

* * *

Ice-skating on Valentine’s Day is a longtime Pulsboro tradition. Starting up around Christmas and ending by the time February’s over, a portion of the town park’s turned into a rink for families, friends, and couples alike. No night’s a bigger hit than the night of Valentine’s Day.