Page 53 of Wicked Refusal

Guilt twists at my insides. But the possessive spark Mia lit up in me smothers every other thought.

She’smine.

And I’ll be damned if I let anyone hurt her ever again.

I don’t realize she’s stirring until her blue eyes blink open. “Good morning,” she yawns.

“Morning.”

“Do I have something on my face?” Her lips quirk mischievously. “You keep staring at me.”

“You don’t.” I roll us over so I’m on top of her. “But that can be arranged.”

Her eyes go dark. She’s fucking delicious—all of her is. “Is that so?”

I’m hard as a rock. After a full night of sex, I still want more of her. No woman has ever made me feel like this. Like I could spend forever buried between her thighs.

But before I can make good on my promise, a voice rings out from the kitchen. “Mommy! Are you in the bathroom?”

Mia turns to stone. “Shit.” Then she takes in her naked state. “Shit!”

“Take my gym clothes,” I say, rolling off her. “Second-bottom drawer.”

She bolts from the bed like lightning.

“Mommyyy?”

“Coming, sweetie!”

I make myself decent, too.

Mia slips into my ensuite and comes out the guest door. She’s wearing a black pair of rolled-up shorts and a white t-shirt, tied off at the waist. Somehow, she’s even managed to make her walk of shame look stylish.

“Morning,” she calls out, all motherly. “You’re up early.”

“Where were you?” Eli pouts. “I went to your room, and you weren’t there.”

“I, uhh?—”

“Shower’s broken,” I cut in. “Your mom was asking if she could borrow mine.”

“Oh,” Eli says. “Okay, then. Since you’re awake, can you make pancakes?”

Laughter bubbles up to Mia’s lips. “Of course.”

She grabs a bowl and starts cracking eggs like it’s nobody’s business. I watch her hips sway as she works, a happy tune flowing from her lips.

Happy.That’s how it’s supposed to be. Mia and her children, here in my home, happy and safe.

No one is going to ruin that. No ghost from my past or hers.

Eli trots back to his bedroom to get dressed. I walk up to Mia to put an arm around her waist?—

“You sure as hell don’t get to demand my forgiveness. Not when you haven’t even apologized.”

—and I stop.

What’s wrong?that cruel, sneering voice inside of me teases.Go to her. Wrap her around your finger again. It’ll be so easy now.