Page 4 of Oath

She smacked my chest again—no heat behind it, just frustration. “Exactly. You’re out there taking hits while I’m stuck in here twiddling my thumbs.”

“Then maybe don’t throw your book,” I said. “You’ll have something to do.”

The glare she gave me sent a wave of heat through my blood.

“Are youtryingto piss me off?”

I tightened my grip on her hips, ignoring the itch to tear those little shorts off andchange the subject entirely.

“Dollface,” I said. “I don’t have to try. You’ve got a temper—and you like losing it.”

Her mouth formed a perfect littleO, and I almost laughed. She growled, tried to push off of me. I pulled her back. A short tug-of-war ended with her throwing a punch.

I caught her fist, then the second. Hands pinned behind her back, I wrapped one arm around her. I was careful, the last thingI wanted to do was break any of those gorgeous nails she’d just gotten manicured along with the pedicure that Voodoo took her to get. That bit of pampering had put her in a better mood.

If only it had lasted.

“Right,” I said, voice low. “You’re in a mood. Let’s fix it—thenwe’ll talk.”

“Excuse me?” Warning echoed in those syllables and I just slid my free hand down into her shorts and found her soaking cunt. Her pupils dilated and her nostrils flared. “This does not mean we’re done fighting.”

“I know, Dollface,” I promised as I began to massage that swollen clit of hers. I guided the movements to the responsiveness of her reactions. The first orgasm had her crying out and riding my hand. By the time the second one hit her, I felt safe in releasing her wrists.

The third left her hanging onto me and shuddering. My cock was in hell, but I left it there. I needed to keep my head and getting her off was also the best way to curb that temper of hers, every bit as much as it helped chase away her fears.

With her breath hot against my throat, I licked my fingers clean and savored the sweetness of her. “Feel better?”

“I hate you,” she muttered.

“No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do.”

“No,” I murmured and stroked her back. “You don’t.”

At her silence, I smiled.

“Want another orgasm?”

“I might die.”

“Well,” I said and lifted her over onto the sofa and onto her back, I peeled the shorts right off and stared down at that pink pussy of hers. “Let’s find out.”

I kept it only to my fingers, but I used both hands this time and when she surged her hips up as she cried out, some of my control frayed.

We needed to get her home and somewhere secure.

Then I could take the time to explore her the way I’d discovered I really wanted.

That night,after she’d gone to sleep—sated, warm, finally relaxed—I sat by the window, one foot braced on the ledge and my hand curled around a cooling cup of coffee. City lights blinked out across the blocks like a bad heartbeat.

Alphabet had come back with Goblin late that afternoon, but he’d left us alone until after the quiet settled over the apartment like dust.

“She’s not happy,” he reminded me as he stepped into the room, scratching behind Goblin’s ears. The mutt gave a grunt and flopped down with a groan.

“I’m aware. Her happiness is not my primary concern at the moment.”

“Bones…” Alphabet sighed and grimaced, rubbing his thigh. Goblin had dragged him for a full mile at least—he needed the break. Voodoo and Lunchbox were on perimeter. I’d relieve them in an hour. I preferred the overnights. They let me think, or at least pretend thinking did any good.