Insolent (Crimson Elite 4)

“So, you don’t love Slate?” Barren pushes.

Darby reaches for Charles and starts to feed him his bottle as my father and brother wait for an answer.

“I love Slate, I will always love Slate. Make no mistake about that, but he isn’t my forever. I am not in love with Slate.”

“If this is what you want—”

I don’t hesitate to interrupt my father’s question, “It is.”

They go quiet again. We order dessert, and my father starts speaking about business to Darby who politely joins in, and they seem to get along quite well. Better than I thought they would. Barren even jumps into the conversation, and I sit back, enjoying the better ambiance in the room until it’s time to leave.

My father walks around and wraps his arms around me. “I would like to see you again before I go.”

“Of course, Papa.”

He kisses my forehead and walks over to Darby, shaking his hand. “Take care of her.” Father’s eyes fall to Charles. “And him. Though, I think you picked a good woman to help you with that.”

Darby nods his head in agreement.

“I’ll like him because you do,” Barren says pulling me in for a hug.

“Thank you.”

Barren walks over and shakes Darby’s hand before they leave.

When they’re out, we pick up Charles and walk to the car.

“Did that scare you?” I ask Darby, because he’s quiet.

Darby doesn’t answer, just places Charles in the car then shuts the door, turning around to me. He stalks to me in two steps, wraps his arms around my waist, turns me so my ass hits the car, and leans down, pressing his lips to mine. It takes a moment for us to catch our breath, and my lips are bruised.

“I like them, but I love you.”

The air leaves me, and before I can say anything, his lips are back on mine, punishing me for loving him.30DarbyShe lies down on the bed next to me, naked and asleep. It’s beautiful watching her. I could watch her all day and never tire of it. My hands skim her naked hips, making her flinch in her sleep. She makes a sound and rolls into me but doesn’t open her eyes. Pushing her hair back from her face, my fingers run down to her neck until they reach the peak of her tits. She makes a soft sound in her sleep, and when I check her eyes, she’s awake and smiling at me.

“Aren’t you meant to be at work?”

I nod, I’m dressed and ready to go. But once I showered and walked back out, seeing her lying there so peacefully, I couldn’t help myself. I had to get back in and touch her. The need I have for her sometimes overwhelms me. Olympia wants those words but never asks me to say them. It’s been a few days, and I haven’t uttered them again. I have to get used to them in my own time, but I know she needs to know I’m on the same wavelength as she is. That I am as committed to this as she is.

“Move in with me.”

Olympia’s mouth falls open, and she makes a move to sit up, not even bothering to cover her breasts.

“Are you sure that’s what you want? I mean, are we even official? And how long have we been official?” She asks multiple questions fast.

“Slow down, Olympia, we are official. Because the way I see it, I’ll kill anyone who touches you. No one touches what’s mine.” She leans into me. Little does she know I speak the truth. I would kill for her, in a damn heartbeat if I had to. “And time doesn’t matter. We know the most intimate secrets about each other that no other knows. I don’t share my life with anyone, Olympia, but I will share it with you if you want me.”

“That almost sounded like a proposal,” she swoons, then quickly shakes her head. “Please don’t propose, though, unless you ask for my father’s permission.”

I’m glad she told me that, I’ll keep that piece of information for the future.

I stand from the bed, removing my shirt. She stares at me with hungry eyes, and I hope that hunger never leaves them.

“You’re going to be late for work,” she says as she eyes me up and down. Her hands help me work on my trousers, and within a few seconds, I’m as naked as she is.

“Is your father gone?”

I nod my head, lean in and kiss her neck. He left a while ago. He and Ma have been getting along quite well. Creed’s aware, and when they told him, his quietness took on a whole new level. He isn’t used to anyone being around Ma other than us, though he respects my father, so I assume he will be glad it’s him and not some stranger he doesn’t know. Creed doesn’t do so well with strangers, or anyone, really.