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“I’ve survived a lot, unless you plan on stabbing me or something, I’m sure I’ll be fine,” she said jokingly, but then became serious. “Let me show you that I can handle everything.”
“You’re still recovering, Vee. You got attacked—”
“I know what I can handle, Zane. Besides, I want to burn away that memory by reminding myself of what it feels like with those I care about.”
“That you have the power,” I said knowingly, and her brow furrowed. “Well, we’ll need a safe word then.”
Her lip quirked at that. “Got one in mind?”
“Mouse. Since you’re our little mouse.”
26
VERONICA
Zane had taken his time teaching me, showing me every single way I could defend myself and making sure I knew how to perform each maneuver. He’d undone his shirt when he’d finally sunk onto the mat, his dress shirt now sticking to him.
I wouldn’t pretend like I hadn’t noticed his pants bulging on occasion while we were practicing, but he’d not acted on it, keeping his mind focused on the task at hand.
Now, I was seeing him, his hair disheveled, his shirt open, and that glistening chest tempting me in a way that made my core tighten. It was tattooed as well, and I was curious as to what it was, although I could make out a few letters.
I’d only been with Kieran since being here, although Enzo had cuddled with me some nights, others were with Kieran, both of them making sure I was not left alone.
I’d not been with Zane yet, and now that I was a part of their world, I needed to know exactly what all of it was. I needed to see why Zane had been afraid to be with me, why he thought he was too much.
I’d fought off the shadows of my attack, focusing on my men and their sweetness, their tenderness for me. I refused to wind up with some PTSD from it all and crumble, unwilling to let them touch me. I was stronger than that, and I’d prove it.
“Mouse,” I repeated the safe word, his lip pulling into a smirk as those steely eyes darkened.
“If we’re doing this, we’re doing this somewhere right. Not here. I want us showered and feeling at ease. Come, stray,” he said as he rose and offered me his hand.
What was it about a man dropping orders with such a velvety voice that had me wanting to bend to his will? I really did have problems.
I allowed him to pull me to my feet, and we headed out of the room. He made sure to pick up my pistol case and hand it to me, and I kept it at my side.
The fact that he was trusting me with a gun was fascinating, although I’d seen the guilt he’d held first-hand. This was his way of protecting me when he wasn’t sure he could hold up his promise.
“We’ll keep practicing your self-defense from here on out. I want you to be ready no matter what,” he added as he led me back to the elevator.
“Got it.”
“When we get up there, go to the bathroom and get yourself showered and ready. I’ll collect you from there,” he stated as he hit the button to take us up.
“Okay,” I said slowly, finding it all a little too formal.
“Put the case down,” he instructed, and I frowned but did as he asked.
I’d barely had a chance to straighten when he moved in, pinning me against the elevator wall as his lips crashed against mine.
I gasped, and he seized his chance, his tongue diving between my lips with a hunger that made my body burn wildly.
His hand slid down to cup my ass, and then the other before he lifted me up, forcing my legs to wrap around him.
“I’m going to show you just who you belong to now, Veronica,” he groaned as he broke the scorching kiss, moving to brush his lips over my neck.
So now I belonged to him? I knew I shouldn’t have let that rile me up, but it had me breathless as he ground against me. He’d said I was free to make my own choices, but this was another side of him, and it thrilled me.
“Be quick, stray, don’t keep me waiting,” he breathed as he set me back down.
