Chapter 10 #2
The ride to the house was quiet. From the look in everyone’s eyes, it was clear we all shared the same sentiment but refused to have the discussion out loud.
He was watching. He could have been watching all morning, but either way, he had been close, or some of his people had, at the very least. Lunch was at one of Kincaid’s restaurants, so this move was bold.
The man was sending a message, one that didn’t sit well with me.
He wasn’t presenting as someone who wanted a warm and fuzzy reunion with his daughter and the woman he once shared a relationship with.
He wanted my husband to know he had the power to get us, which had my stomach sinking.
Eli threatened my mother.
Once we reached the property, Kincaid and Darius were waiting for us outside on the porch, their expressions hardened with anger, their eyes introspective.
Kincaid took me in from the bottom of my feet to the top of my head, slowly observing every inch of me as if he needed to reassure himself I was unharmed.
He knew I was. Conner delivered confirmation the minute after he and Floyd were filled in on what had happened.
Darius’s reaction to Alisha mirrored Kincaid’s to mine before he pulled her into his tall frame, hugging her tightly then ushering her to his waiting car.
She and I shared a look that served as a goodbye.
My mother didn’t speak. She simply passed everyone and hurried into the house.
Corinne followed. They had become friends and I could tell she was concerned.
I was also worried because I sensed her nervous energy, but Kincaid stopped me with a stern look and a firm hand on my hip when I attempted to follow them.
He and Darius shared a few words before he and Alisha left and we ended up in the foyer.
“You okay?” Kincaid’s large body engulfed mine. His arms were firm as they kept me tight against his solid frame while he kissed the top of my head.
“I’m fine, just a little freaked out.”
“He won’t touch you, sweetheart. That’s my promise. He knows better. Today was simply about him attempting to get under my skin.”
“I know and I don’t like it. He threatened my mother.
I’m wondering if this was ever even about me.
What happens next?” There was no way in hell Kincaid wouldn’t react.
That was who he was. Darkness that consumed him, which made it easy for him to settle into the killer I knew him to be.
As much as that frightened me, it soothed me as well.
When he made a promise that I would remain untouched, there was no doubt in my mind it was one he would give his life to keep.
If I were honest with myself, the only reason I was remotely frightened about the man I knew Kincaid to be was because I feared it might one day be the reason I would have to live without him.
I was afraid those things he wanted to protect me from would eventually get the best of him.
No matter how capable he proved to be, he was only one man.
Before he could respond to my question, his mother came down the stairs wearing a tight expression.
“Is she okay?” I questioned about my mother. Regardless of what Corinne’s answer would be, I would check for myself.
“She’s fine, sweetheart. Just a little shaken up, but that’s understandable. Your mother’s no pushover, so don’t worry about Endia.” Corinne offered a soft smile and gently rubbed my arm when she was close enough. “I’m going to head home.”
“No, stay here tonight and maybe for a few days. I can have my guys run by the house to get what you need.”
She narrowed her eyes at Kincaid, shaking her head. “I’ll be fine.”
“Ma, no. I don’t want you in that house alone until I get a handle on this.”
“I said I’ll be fine. I need to be home,” she stated firmly. The two shared a look that I understood. It was the home she shared with her husband and being there allowed her to feel at peace. She’d discussed that with me once when Kincaid was away and she spent the night at his insistence.
“I’ll have some guys on the house. They’ll be there waiting for you.
Let them sweep the place before you go in and they’ll post up outside for the night.
” His word was final. She and I both knew he wouldn’t move on any other orders but his own with this.
She hugged me, kissed her son, and was gone shortly after.
I headed to my mother’s room to check on her while Kincaid headed to his office, promising not to be long.
By the time I joined her, she had changed into sweats and a T-shirt and was sitting on the side of the bed staring into blank space. I noticed two medicine bottles on the nightstand and a half-empty water bottle.
“What are those?” I sat next to her, and she smiled, patting my leg.
“Nothing for you to worry about. They just keep me balanced. When I don’t take them, that’s when you worry.
I can be a bit of a handful and I’m sure that husband of yours is enough as it is.
” I appreciated the attempt at humor to lighten the mood, but I didn’t want my mother to feel obligated to protect my feelings at the cost of not dealing with her own.
“Are you okay?”
“I am. It’s just been so long. The thought of him being close makes me anxious.”
“He won’t touch you or me. Kincaid won’t allow it. You’re safe here.”
“I know, baby. It’s just a reality I have to get used to being a reality again. He exists. It brings up old things, fears, you know, but I’m okay, so please, don’t worry.”
I smiled and allowed my head to rest on her shoulder. “I can’t help it. That’s what you do for your family. You worry.”
She laughed softly and nodded. “You do, but just know, I’ll take a life before I lose mine or allow anyone to harm you. I guess that’s why Kincaid and I have such an understanding.”
When I lifted my eyes to hers, they were waiting with a seriousness I hadn’t seen in my mother before.
“It won’t come to that.”
“Let’s hope not. I’m gonna catch a little nap. That champagne is catching up to me.” She patted my leg again and after I stood, I kissed her cheek. “I’m going to cook tonight; you can help if you want. I think Kincaid is kinda getting used to the whole family dinner thing.”
“We all are. I’ll be down later,” she promised, and I left the room, traveling down the hall to ours.
After changing into shorts and a T-shirt, I sat on the bed for a while but got anxious waiting on Kincaid and decided to go to him.
He was exactly where he promised, finishing a call when I pushed open the door.
Since I stopped in the doorway, he waved me over, saying he’d be in touch with whomever he had been speaking to before he pulled me down into his lap.
“Did you find a dress?”
“I did. It will be delivered tomorrow morning. You didn’t answer me.”
His hand slipped under my T-shirt, resting on my stomach, while the other made it to my bare thigh. Warm fingers began a soothing rhythm against my skin.
“About?”
From the stern look delivered, I knew he was well aware of what I was asking, but I indulged anyway.
“What’s next?”
“That’s not for you to worry about. It’s handled.”
“He’s using me and my mother as pawns and he actually threatened her. How can you tell me not to worry?”
“Because I can. He can’t use you. He can’t do a damn thing remotely related to you, and I will make sure he doesn’t get to your mother either. Get that thought out of your head, sweetheart.” There was no denying the confidence in his tone, but I still pushed.
“But he—”
“Nari . . .” The warning was delivered with finality . . .
Let it go.
Discussion over.
The two of us remained in a war of wills before he gripped my chin and pulled my face to his for a kiss. Those pillow-soft lips did just what he planned—distracted me.
“I missed you this morning.”
“I missed you too.”
His smile was beautiful. Everything about the man was beautiful, sexy, edgy, and alluring.
“I’m sure you did.”
“So arrogant.”
“Which is one of my best qualities, so I’ve heard.”
“From whom?” I arched my brow and pursed my lips.
“My wife.”
“Mm-hmm. Good save.”
Kincaid chuckled. “Now, about this dress. Should I be worried?”
“Yes, very much. Your wife is sexy.”
“You sure you want that on your conscience?”
“Nothing will be on my conscience because you know I’m all yours the same as I know you’re all mine.”
“Finally,” he teased, which had me shoving his chest gently. This had been a journey for me, but I was settling into my confidence about us and our marriage.
“You’re a lot; this life is a lot. You can’t expect me to be implanted into all this without some type of hesitation and uncertainty.”
“Agreed, but as long as you know who owns my heart, I’m at peace and the world’s safe.”
“Safe?” I frowned and he navigated my mouth to his once more.
“When you run, the world is not safe. I’m a dangerous man, sweetheart. For you, I know no bounds, understand no limits, and employ no control.”
He tapped my thigh, requesting I stand, which I did. His hands pushed my shorts over my hips, and as soon as they reached my ankles, he tossed his chin toward the desk behind me. “Up there.”
I wasted no time and neither did he. As soon as my bare ass met the polished wood surface, Kincaid pushed forward in his chair and large hands landed between my thighs, forcing them open.
The way his eyes devoured me had my sex throbbing instantly.
By the time his tongue glided between my folds, I was already on edge.
While his mouth did its own thing, his thumb strummed my clit over and over again.
All I could do was arch my back and moan, but I managed to thrust forward when he added a finger and began enticing me with it as well.
His pace increased, and when he lifted his eyes and caught me watching, I noticed a hint of a smile curve on his lips before his free hand pressed against my back, bringing me dangerously close to the edge at the same time he added another finger.
The man’s speed and talent made me delirious.
My hands landed hard against the desk, my palms flat while I attempted to brace for the first round bolting through me.
In the seconds that followed, my vision went blurry with an orgasm so intense I felt the muscles in my stomach lock up.
That had me lifting one hand and placing it under my shirt protectively.
The act sent a wave of alarm through Kincaid, which was expressed through his intense eyes.
“I’m . . . I’m fine.”
“The baby?” His voice was hoarse with need yet still very much concerned.
“Is fine, keep going,” I demanded, bringing another devilish smile to his handsome face.
Soft kisses trailed my inner thighs while he maneuvered below me, undoing his jeans.
Before I could regain my composure, I felt the thickness of his head grazing my opening before he pushed in with one hard thrust, groaning under his breath while he adjusted and I wrapped my legs around his waist.
I needed more, so I pushed forward, which had his eyes on me and his dick easing out before he returned, landing harder and deeper.
“Easy, sweetheart. This is my rodeo.” He moved slower, but with more purpose, and I swear I felt every vein that pulsed along his thick, long shaft, adding additional intensity to what was already building.
He was a lot to take regardless of how turned on I was, but my body craved him, all of him, which he knew and delivered.
I groaned his name, allowing my hands to clench the edge of the desk while he focused on hitting the perfect spot with a trained focus.
That was intentional because he smirked when it began happening again.
Those pulses were building at an alarming rate and my groin was rolling.
His pace increased and the muscles in his arms flexed while his fingers dug into my hips, waiting for me to take flight. I did.
“Fuck, baby,” floated around me in a low growl right before he came.
Kincaid lifted me around his waist and I pulled his face to mine for a kiss and could taste myself on his lips.
While we both allowed our energy to settle, his eyes bored into mine with an intensity that allowed me to feel his internal struggle.
What he didn’t say vibrated between us. My father was an issue and my husband needed to feel close to me.
I loved Kincaid even when I was conflicted.
I’d kill Eli my damn self if it meant never being without Kincaid.