Lucius (Acquisition 4)

Once I’ve stowed the iPad, I finally pull off Lucius’s shirt. I stay strong and toss it in the top of my hamper instead of smelling it again.

Showers are the best of times and the worst of times. I can stand under the spray and think about all the things I need to do, solve some problems, come up with new strategies, or I’ll remember all the things I’ve done wrong, the people I’ve lost, and as always, I’ll think of Lucius. How many times have I plotted his death while lathering up? A million. But now, I don’t think of that at all. I think of his life, of the future he talked about with me.

I keep telling myself it wasn’t real, that I need to stop being so naïve. But, when I left, he’d been fighting his brother. For me. Something I never imagined.

After too much time rinsing and thinking, I finally step out and wrap myself in a towel. When I walk into my bedroom, I stop dead.

“Hey darlin’. I don’t think we were finished with our talk.” Lucius reclines on my bed, his shirt off and his hands clasped behind his head. “And with the way you left, I’m thinking you’re spooked. Maybe you’re wondering if I’m playing you? Something along those lines? Am I warm?”

I clutch my towel to my chest, my mouth open but no words coming out. Then my thoughts finally get traction. “How the hell did you get in here?”

“If I told you, wouldn’t that ruin the surprise?”

I stare at him. All of him. His broad chest and well-toned muscles. God, of course I worshipped him when I was a teenager. Even though he’s over thirty now, he’s still got everything right where it counts. Not to mention the things he can do with his tongue. I press my thighs together at the thought.

His gaze tracks the movement, then returns to my eyes. “When I was here last time, I took the liberty of having my locksmith come out and—”

“You’re fucking kidding me.” I stomp toward the bed, then stop when I realize I’m too close to him. Too naked, and he’s far too appealing with his hungry eyes and taut body.

“Not kidding. He even programmed your digital lock code into my phone.” He pulls it up from beside him on the bed and shows me. “See? Even if you change the code, it’ll still transmit it right to me. So there’s no point trying to run back here and hide from me, Evie.”

“I’m not hiding.”

“Seems like it. You snuck out and took a little something of mine.”

I walk around the bed to my dresser. “It wasn’t yours to begin with.” When I toss a look over my shoulder, I see an ugly bruise forming on his right side. “What happened?”

“Fell out a window with a bear. You should see the bear.”

“So, your brother.”

“You missed it?” he asks. “The whole thing?”

“I was busy.”

“Stealing the iPad. Yeah, I suppose you were.” He rolls toward me and props up on his elbow. “You really just ditched me.” He gives a wolf’s smile. “Cold, Evie.”

“Not cold. Just logical.”

“How so?”

“You have a reputation. I assumed once you got what you wanted from me, you’d move on.”

“What else do you think you know about me?”

“You’ve been in so many fights you’ve probably lost count.” I gesture toward the smattering of scars on his torso. “You’ve killed people. You’ve done horrible things. You drink too much. You hide behind wit and brutality.”

He pins me with his gaze, his eyes so clear. “I don’t hide with you.”

How does he break me down with one simple statement?

“I’m all the things you said. And I don’t know if I can change any of it. But I know I can be there for you. I want to be someone different—no, not different—” He chews his bottom lip. “Better. I meant better, for you. But by the same token, I will hunt, hurt, and slaughter anyone who comes for you.” He sits up and swings his legs off the side of the bed. “You never should’ve left my place. It’s not safe out here.”

“Don’t you realize I’m not safe there either?” I throw my hands up.

His gaze drifts down to where I have my towel tied over my breasts, then he meets my gaze again. “Come here.” He says it with command, but also a gentleness that soothes my worried heart.

I sigh and step toward him.

He reaches out and grabs the towel, pulling it away and tossing it to the floor. Running his hands along my hips, he looks up at me, then kisses my stomach, his lips leaving a trail of fire as they drift lower.

“Lucius.” I try to step back, but he holds me in place.

“If you run from me, I’ll follow you.” He kisses my pussy, his touch so soft, almost reverent. “I’ll find you, Evie. Every time. I warned you what would happen. Remember?” He delves his tongue between my lips, and I shiver, my nipples tightening almost painfully.