Buttons and Shame (Buttons 4)

“Lars?” I teased.

Crow’s mood dampened only slightly. The corner of his mouth rose in a smile before it quickly disappeared again, his anger coming back like it never left. “The deal is done, but we’re missing the second half of the money. I asked Cane about it last night, and that shithead hung up on me. I called him again three times today, and he didn’t answer.”

“Hmm…that’s not like him.”

Crow walked to the balcony and unbuttoned his collared shirt.

This was my favorite part of the day. He usually stripped down to his boxers, revealing his beautifully chiseled physique, and one thing led to another before we ended up in bed together—and again in the shower.

He tossed the shirt onto a different chair then looked across the vineyards that reached the hillside. His hands moved into his pockets, and he stood tall as he gazed over everything he owned. “He’s usually on top of his game when it comes to work. That’s why I trust him. But now…I don’t have a clue what’s going on.”

“Want me to talk to him?” I stood at his shoulders and pressed kisses along the grooves of muscles. As much as I cared about my husband’s complaints, there was only one thing on my mind. In my defense, when I complained about something, he didn’t listen to me either. He was too busy getting my panties off.

“No. I’ll handle him.” He eyed his watch. “I’m gonna go by the facility and talk to him face-to-face. He’s hiding something from me. I know it.” He turned around and pulled a t-shirt out of his top drawer.

“Whoa, slow down.” I yanked the shirt out of his hand and pressed my body into his. “How about you spend some quality time with your wife before you storm off again?”

His eyes intensified as he considered the offer. “I’d love to, Button. But it’ll have to wait.”

“You’re turning me down?” I asked incredulously. He was usually the one who couldn’t get enough. I had to slap his hand away when he tried to grope me in front of Lars. “You’re gone at work all day and then leave again without satisfying your wife?” I knew that would get under his skin.

“Button, this is my business we’re talking about. I can make up for it when I get home later.”

It wasn’t just about the sex. I missed him all day, and now he was leaving again. Not having a job or a hobby was starting to get to me. “Can I come with you?”

“Absolutely not.” He turned hostile like I’d just asked for something ludicrous. “I’ll be gone for a few hours. You’ll manage.”

“I’ll manage?” I snapped.

He walked out and grabbed his brown leather jacket on the way. He turned into a dictator once his business was on the table, forgetting about everything else and letting it fade into the background.

“Crow, I’ve been there before.”

“On very different terms.” He took the stairs ahead of me, not slowing down to have this conversation. “You’ll be bored anyway.”

“If this is your business, it’s my business too. We’re married, remember?” I caught up to him when he reached the ground floor.

“Doesn’t matter. It’s not safe.”

“I pulled a knife out of my stitches and killed Bones—”

“Don’t fucking say his name in my house.” Crow turned on me and grabbed me by the elbow. His fingers dug into my skin aggressively, and he looked down into my face with malcontent. He looked more furious than I’d ever seen him. “I’ve asked multiple times, but you never listen to me. Listen to me now.”

I twisted out of his grasp. “Our house.”

“Just do as I say.” He turned away again.

“I can hold my own. These are your men we’re talking about. They aren’t going to do anything to me.”

“I don’t want other men looking at you. They all wanted to fuck you at one point.”

I’d never forget the first time I went to that base. Crow talked me into allowing him to give me a shot to put me to sleep so he could take me to his house. I accepted his offer because I preferred him over the others. If they’d had their chance, they would have done terrible things to me. “Give them a chance to look at me in a new way. And if they don’t, I’ll gladly kick them in the balls.”

Crow didn’t stop walking as he headed to the front door. “Button, stay.”

“I’m not a dog, asshole.”

Crow ground his teeth together as he turned around and looked at me. “I’m in a hurry, and you’re keeping me longer. I don’t want you to come, and that decision is final.”

“You don’t make the decisions in this house. We make them together.”

He dragged his hand down his face when he couldn’t hide his anger anymore. “Why do you want to come so badly?”