Thirty-Seven
Linc
As I closed the door after waving back at Stevie one more time, tucked into her large bed, my chest was tight with the reminder that I’d missed so many of these nights already. Nights I couldn’t get back. Moments that would never be mine to cherish one day when she was grown and living her life.
“She’s easy to put to bed,” I said as I turned to look at Branwen, standing over by her door with her arms crossed. “From what I can remember, Levi was hell to get to sleep. Refusing to stay in bed.”
“We had times when she was more difficult, but it seems we’ve moved past it,” she replied.
The way she stood was pushing her tits up, making her cleavage all the more visible. A champagne-colored lock of hair curled just over the right side, and the tip would be touching her nipple if she were naked. There wasn’t a blemish on her skin. It was as if she’d been airbrushed. All smooth, golden perfection.
Listening to the others talk about her and even with the ones who hadn’t said anything, I knew they’d looked at her for too fucking long. I’d seen their gazes. She was intoxicating with or without that tight velvet cunt that sheathed my cock like a vise.
My fingertips were digging into my palms. I hadn’t realized I was clenching my hands until I felt them. Forcing myself to relax, I took a deep breath. How was it that I wanted to shake her for stealing memories I could have had with our daughter, but also wanted to throw her against the wall and fuck her until I was completely sated at the same time?
There was also an unwelcome and uncomfortable ache in my chest every time those jade pools looked at me with longing. As if she’d give anything to have more of me. She didn’t have to say it. I could read her expressive face easy enough. She was letting us fucking make her want something we would never have. I wasn’t built for that shit—and especially not with a woman I couldn’t trust. She would be a weakness. I would be worrying about the lies she could be keeping from me every day.
“Good night, Branwen,” I said before heading back toward the stairs, needing distance before the sexual ache for her became too much and I followed her into her bedroom.
“Good night, Linc.” Her voice was soft, and there was a touch of sadness to it.
I winced, thankful she couldn’t see my face as I walked away.
I’d treated her with respect today. I hadn’t ignored her, yet I had kept a firm distance with her otherwise. If I could get into this habit and guide her into this type of relationship, we’d survive this year.
I’d fuck her every damn night if I could, but I didn’t just worry about her getting attached anymore. I was starting to be concerned about me. I still intended to own her. I wasn’t going to give up on taking that pussy and losing myself in it, but I had to limit it. Fuck other women in between. Otherwise, I might get obsessed with it and make a massive mistake.
The guys were still outside when I returned.
Luther glanced over at me first and raised his eyebrow. “I thought you’d be a while, tucking Branwen in.”
Why he thought pushing me was fun I didn’t know, but when I broke his nose, he’d fucking stop.
“Didn’t tuck her in. Just my daughter.”
“She wants you to,” Mal said, then shrugged a shoulder. “Don’t scowl at me. I’m just pointing it out. She looks at you like she’d do anything for you to notice her.” He stuck his cigarette back into his mouth. “I always knew you were a hard motherfucker, but, damn, man. You are stronger than I am. I’d have had her naked and on the bed with—”
“DON’T finish that sentence,” I warned him through clenched teeth.
My gaze scanned all of them. I hated knowing that they would all fantasize about her. If I could scrub her from their brains, I would.
Mal held up both hands. “Sorry.”
No, he wasn’t.
“Branwen and I aren’t a couple, but understand this: Her cunt is mine. No one else touches it or fucking thinks about it. She belongs to me.”
Luther cleared his throat. “So, just to be clear, you’re touching it then?”
“Luther.” I seethed, my eyes locked on him as rage pounded in my temples.
“I’m just making sure. Because someone needs to. It’s a fucking abomination for a face and body like hers to go untouched. It is meant to be fucked.”
“Luther, if you don’t shut the fuck up, not one of us will get up and save your ass when he puts a gun to your forehead,” Jonas warned him.
Luther sighed. “I’m the advocate for hot pieces of ass across the world. Okay? They should all be taken care of properly.”
Ransom spit out his drink, trying not to laugh, then choked.
Mal chuckled and shook his head.
I should have stayed upstairs. I’d be buried balls deep in Branwen, listening to the sexy sounds she made. Instead, I was down here, listening to Luther say shit to piss me off.