Page 98 of Steel

“This was fun,” I said as he placed the snacks into the pantry.

“It was. I’m ready to take my ass to bed. That food is on me bad.”

“Can we sit outside for a little bit? I just know this view is beautiful at night.”

“Sure.”

He opened the sliding glass door and led us out back. The moon was high in the clear sky, and the stars were bright. He grabbed my hand, and we started walking the perimeter of the yard in comfortable silence. It reminded me of our late-night strolls through campus.

“Can I ask you something?” he finally said.

“Sure.”

“You been serious with anybody since us?”

I shook my head. “No. I’ve just been in work and mommy mode. I mean, . . . I had needs, but it was never a serious relationship. No man has ever been around her other than family. I don’t believe in that. There’s no reason every man or woman you entertain should be around your kids, especially if it’s not serious. Even then, you have to be careful with people. I may look harmless, but I will fuck up the world behind my baby.”

He chuckled. “Okay, mama bear.”

“Exactly. The claws will come out, and I will maul your ass over that one. Luckily, nobody has brought that out of me yet. Principal Joe and those kids at that school were close until somebody here pulled that man over his desk.”

“You see we haven’t had any problems since. She has her cousins and Jaiden. Plus, my girl has been dominating her self-defense classes. She’s good, and she knows not to fight unless it’s a last resort. My baby will never start shit, but I made sure she can finish it.”

“So, is that your role in the family?”

“Pretty much. I train everybody for hand-to-hand combat. Sometimes you don’t need a weapon.”

“Have you . . . have you ever beaten anybody to death?”

He stopped. “A few times. Back when we broke up, I was releasing my pain on targets. Pops almost sat me down. I got it together, but after I found out about Nayelli, I had a blackout moment on a mission. We were rescuing a group of kids, and I walked in on this nigga ra—” He swallowed hard. “He was assaulting a little girl no older than Nayelli. I’d never seen that shit in real time. She was screaming and begging him to stop . . . I just lost it. All I could think about was her and what I would do if somebody ever hurt her like that.”

I could tell that bothered him. He took this job seriously, as he should have. I couldn’t say I wouldn’t have had the same reaction if I saw half the shit he did. But that, . . . a child? Anybody that hurt children deserved whatever horrible fate was handed to them.

“I know you’ll always protect her,” I said, squeezing his hand. “The girl is crazy about you, Kerrion.”

He smiled. “That’s my baby, man. Her and KJ are my heart. I can’t picture me without them anymore. I’ve prayed for my babies before they even existed. Being their father is my greatest flex.”

“And you are exceptional at that job.”

“So are you. You’re a great mother, Neha. I always knew you would be.”

He cupped my face and kissed me, long and hard.

God, if you want me to have this man, just say that, I thought.

When he pulled away, he grabbed my hand. “Let’s get ready for bed.”

He led me back into the house and locked up. We checked on Nayelli one last time before going upstairs. Upon entry, he went to his drawer and grabbed me something to wear to bed before he stripped down for a shower. I watched him, mouth watering as his naked form began to take shape. His smooth skin was covered in more tattoos than I remembered.

When he turned to the side, and I caught sight of that long, thick dick slapping against his thigh, I almost choked on my spit.

He looked at me, brows furrowed. “You good?”

I nodded, slapping my chest. “Yes,” I choked out.

“You getting in the shower with me?”

“Um, . . . is that safe?”