Page 38 of More Bite than Bark

Kevin didn’t reply but the truck sped up.

Elizabeth guessed he was onboard.

Atthehouse,hehelped her out of the truck and once they were inside, he stopped by the door and toed off his boots, leaving them on the rug next to the door.Then he hooked an arm around her waist and tugged her close.She looked up at his face, only a few inches away and tried to figure out what to say.He saved her from having to make a decision by kissing her, gently at first then with more hunger.She felt the thick proof of what he wanted pressed into her belly.

After a moment, he broke the kiss, pulling away slightly.

“You still want this?”he asked, his voice husky with testosterone.

“More than anything,” Elizabeth said, pulling at the leather vest he wore.She wanted him close, closer than they were now and the only way to get that was to get rid of their clothes.

He shrugged out of his vest and hung it up, then swept her into his arms and carried her through the house.

“Where are we going?”

“The bedroom.I want to stretch you out on the bed and watch you as I lick and touch every inch of you.”

“What if that’s not what I want?”

“You’ll get what you want.I’ve been dreaming of this for years.Now that we’re both sober and on the same page, I’m going to take my time and show you all the ways I can make you come.I won’t stop until you’re screaming my name.I might even make you beg me to stop.”

She could only laugh as he kicked the bedroom door closed and dropped her on the bed.She bounced once then sat up and started peeling off her clothes.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“I’mgoingtocallMama today.”

Elle’s words made Hex freeze.He stopped pouring coffee mid-cup and turned to look at her, still holding both his cup and the pot.It had been almost a week since he’d moved her in, and from what she’d told him she’d stayed in touch with Mama, letting her know that she was all right, but not yet ready to talk through text, but that was all.They’d settled into a routine, he got up early, like he usually did, went to the clubhouse, and made sure things were taken care of there.This morning he’d talked to Wrath.He’d confirmed that turning Switchblade over to the FBI had gone well.That was one thing off his plate, a possible danger to Elle that he wouldn’t have to worry about any longer.

Today, like usual, by the time he came back she was up, past the worst of the morning sickness that seem to have hit with a vengeance over the last few days and was in the middle of making breakfast.He’d told her she didn’t need to cook for him.He’d even offered to cook for her, but she told him no, that she enjoyed, so he let her.

He had to admit, if only to himself, he loved seeing her standing in the kitchen wearing one of his shirts.It made him want to lay her out on the table and have her for breakfast.She might have been in his house for under a week, but already he it was like she’d always been here.Hex would do nearly anything to keep her here.

After breakfast, she often took her laptop and phone and hung out with him in whichever office he was in.She was getting to know more of his brothers, and he could tell she was feeling more at home on the compound.He was glad.

“Are you sure?I can take you to see her if you’d like.”

Elle shook her head.

“I don’t want to see her.I’ll call.I’m not sure I’ll tell her all of it yet, but I need to actually talk to her, or she’ll figure out where I am and show up at the gate.I’m not ready for that.”

That wasn’t something he would look forward to either, but he’d deal with it if he had to.She was right, it was better that she talked to Mama before that happened.

“And if she insists on seeing you?”he asked.He’d known Mama all his life and had a decent idea how she would react, especially after having been put off for this long.

“Then I’ll insist on meeting somewhere public.”She turned and shot him a satisfied smile.It was a good idea.They both knew Mama wouldn’t start a scene in public.

He finished pouring his coffee and put the pot back on the warmer.

“Want me here when you call her?”

She plated the eggs she’d been cooking, then cracked two more into the skillet before picking up the first plate and handing it to him.

“I wouldn’t turn it down, but I understand if you’ve got something else going on or don’t want to deal with her.”

Hex took the plate and carried it and his coffee to the far side of the bar and set them down before going back to her and wrapping his arms around her middle from behind.

“Sugar, I told you, I’ll do whatever you need.If you want me here, even if I stay silent and I’m just moral support, I’ll be here.”He bent and kissed her neck.“I’m here for you, whatever you need.”