Broken but Breathing (Jinx Tattoos 2)

“Me-me too.”

“Come for me, Sprite,” he growled.

She arched and let go.

He cried out, following behind her. His warm weight collapsed on top of her. Burying her face into his neck, she smiled against his salt slick skin. Home was where the heart was. This was her new place of residence.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“Thank God. Because I love the fuck out of you,” Snake replied, making her giggle.

CHAPTER TEN

Estelle

She woke surrounded in warmth and strong arms. Snake had his leg thrown over both of hers, pinning her into place on the bed. She smiled lazily, basking in his possessiveness. It felt good to feel wanted and sexy. It’d been so long since a man touched her, and Everett had been nothing like Snake. This was a new experience. Snake was a masculine throw back who took care of what was his at any cost. There were pros and cons which came with that. She ran her hand down his arm, enjoying the strength and sprinkling of hair. Mornings had become a lonely affair. Not anymore. She wriggled her body, trying to work her way lose.

“Uh uh,” he grumbled.

She giggled. “I need the bathroom, love,” she said.

When he released her, she rolled off the bed and padded to the master bathroom. The slate-colored tile was warm due to the heated flooring. The space was masculine with its dark colors, grey, black, and white tiled in tub, and slate stone shower floor. But there was something classic and sophisticated about it. The previous owners had good taste. After finishing her business, she opted for a shower. She’d surprise her lover with a home-cook

ed meal. Lover.

She felt wicked and wanton. Everything with Everett had been by the book. They hadn’t slept together until they were engaged and planning their wedding. She had no blueprints laid out where Snake was concerned. Things were organic, and that was exciting, but scary at the same time.

Control had become a crutch she was used to depending on. He chipped away at her shell and hesitations, holding her hand every step of the way as she began to live. Turning on the shower, she stepped beneath the massaging spray and tilted her head up to the water. A tiny part of her felt guilty. She’d officially moved on past Everett. Her vision blurred and her chest grew tight. She let the water wash away the salty drops as she sobbed for what she’d lost and released the strong emotions.

She stepped from the shower, lighter, and ready to move forward. Wrapping herself in a fluffy black towel, she walked to the counter, and broke open the new toothbrush in one of the drawers. It felt right to be here. There was no discomfort or shame. She couldn’t care less what anyone else had to think about how fast they were moving. In six months their lives had been irrevocably entwined along with their hearts. Her face had filled out along with her body. Infused with an abundance of energy and happiness, life looked completely different than it had that night she first walked into the support group.

Smoothing her hair back, she tidied up, and walked out, moving to the dresser where she kept a change of clothes. My God, we’re practically living together. She slipped on a pair of black yoga pants and a Wild Ones T-shirt slashed and cut to hang off her shoulders, courtesy of Kali. Gathering the clothing from the night before, she placed it in the dark brown whicker hamper and made her way downstairs. The kitchen was one of her favorite things about the new home. Butcher block counters covered the expresso-colored cabinets. Large sinks made washing dishes, vegetables, and whatever else one could think of easy. White subway tile stood out against the dark colors.

She dug into the stainless steel double door refrigerator and started pulling ingredients.

“Shouldn’t I be the one cooking for you?” a sleep worn voice said.

Grinning, she glanced up from the French toast she was cooking. “Maybe next time.”

He wrapped an arm around her and kissed her bared shoulder. “I like seeing you in this.”

“You can thank Kali for it.”

“I will the next time I see her,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck. “It smells good, babe.”

“Thank you,” she replied, leaning back into his touch. “If you don’t stop I’m going to end up burning breakfast.”

“I can always take you out to eat later.” Reaching around her, he turned off the stove and set the pan on the back burner. He sucked her earlobe into his mouth and she purred.

“Breakfast can hold, right?”

“Damn straight.” He bit her neck and spun her around to face him, cupping her ass. Gripping his shoulders, she wrapped her legs around his hips as he lifted her.

“I think it’s time we start christening the house, don’t you?” he said, setting her on the kitchen island. She rubbed her center against the swell straining against his boxer briefs.

“Most definitely.”

The knock on the door made him moan. He dropped his head, and she sighed, lowering her legs.