Riled (The Invincibles 4)

I thought back to our conversation on Christmas Eve when I told her she was the daughter of two people who cared about her very much—her grandparents. They’d obviously shown her immeasurable love in that she didn’t seem particularly sad when she spoke of her parents’ lack of involvement in her life.

I took a deep breath, troubled that I couldn’t figure out what lay behind Konstantine’s desperation. Later, I’d give Decker a call and ask him to do some digging. For now, though, I owed Kensington an apology.

I slid into the water and put my arms around her waist. “I’m sorry I didn’t answer you when you overheard my conversation with my mother.”

“She already apologized.”

“Did she?”

Kensington nodded. “She said you were protecting her.”

“Interesting,” I murmured. I suppose, to a certain extent, doing so was innate. “I don’t have to with you, do I?”

“I can’t say that I understand completely, but I’ve seen enough evidence of it to know that you and your mother do seem to have a sixth sense about certain things.”

“As do you.”

“I don’t know that I’d go that far.”

“Either way, I’m sorry.”

“You aren’t used to answering questions.” Kensington kissed my neck under my ear.

“That is true.”

“Can we stop talking about unpleasantries now?”

“Of course.” I put my hands under her bottom and lifted so her legs wrapped around my waist. “I don’t like it when we’re at odds with one another.”

“I don’t either. I missed you so much.”

Her words were like a stab to my heart. “I’m sorry for the way I left. I’m sorry that I left you at all.”

“Why did you?”

“Because I’m a bloody idiot.” I kissed her, hard, holding the back of her head with one hand while the other held her arse.

It had been four days since I was inside of her, and I needed her like a man starving. “Come,” I said, lifting her onto the pool deck and then hoisting myself out of the water. My rock-hard cock strained for release inside my swimsuit. Kensington cupped it with her hand.

We dripped water on the floor of the lift as I pushed her up against the back panel and ground myself against her.

When it stopped on the top floor, I carried her into the bedroom. There were eyes everywhere; I knew because I put them there, but Kensington’s naked body was for mine alone. I closed the blinds throughout the suite.

Our bodies were chilled from the pool’s water. I turned on the shower and led her inside once it was warm. “Put your hands on the wall.”

She complied, and I removed her swimsuit. I turned her around in the warm water and pressed her back against the tile.

After removing my own suit, I lifted her again and entered her with one thrust. Kensington cried out as I pounded into her, and her wetness engulfed my cock.

I kept her in bed the rest of the afternoon, pleasuring her body again and again. Every so often, I’d run warm water in the jetted tub and let it soothe us.

“I couldn’t imagine a place more perfect,” she said as we watched the storm clouds roll in over the sea. “It looks so ominous, almost dangerous, and yet here we are, safe and warm.”

From where I sat, I could see the cemetery where Celestina rested, but I couldn’t feel her presence. I hadn’t for days.

Kensington was swirling the water with her hands. Her, I could feel. Her soft skin, her warm heart, and her troubled mind.

“Is there something you want to ask me?” When she shook her head, I nipped her ear. “Do not lie to me, my darling.”