God.
Why?
Why would I ask such a thing?
“Mmm, it was definitely sexual contact.” He snickers. “There was some penetration going on at the end, but I’d hate to call that sex.” He brings his hand to my jaw, gently tilting my face up to his. “Not because I don’t want to have sex with you. I really fucking do. I just don’t want you to think that little tease was all there is to good sex.”
My teeth dig into my lower lip as I nod.
I get what he means, at least I think I do.
“You’re killing me with this.” He keeps his voice low as he brushes his thumb over my lip, prying it from my teeth. “We should probably talk about birth control because I definitely came inside you.”
“I have a hormonal implant,” I whisper. “It has like two years left. I wasn’t hooking up with anyone. More…I guess I just don’t trust men in general.”
“That’s seriously fucking grim,” he says, sounding disgusted. “But I get it. Might as well get all the awkward conversationsout of the way at once. I don’t have my records with me, but everything was negative the last time I got tested, and I haven’t been with anyone since.”
“Thanks.” I pull free of his hold on my jaw and snuggle back to his chest.
That’s another thing I should have thought about before thesexual contact.Maybe my father was right all the times he called me a naive fool.
In most ways, I wouldn’t say I grew up sheltered. I’ve seen my father’s enforcers execute someone on more than one occasion. I’ve listened in on the highly illegal shit he was teaching my brothers, but when it comes to romantic relationships, I am woefully unprepared.
“You smell stressed.” Magnum’s chest starts to vibrate under my cheek as he purrs. It’s even more soothing than his honey and lemon scent. “Relax. I’m not going anywhere. We’ll figure it out together as it comes. There’s no use in worrying about things now.”
“Right,” I say weakly, nodding. He’s comforting and steady under me, but nothing in life works out smoothly for me.
“If you kill me like this, it’ll leave her withseriousemotional damage,” Magnum says, his voice low and raspy from sleep. “Chill. We can talk this out.”
“Who the fuck are you?” Hawk snarls.
My eyes pop open as panic rips through my chest.
I meant to wake up early, sneak out, and have a heart-to-heart with Moretti before Hawk or Magnum woke up.
At some point while I slept, I cuddled right on top of Magnum.
Okay, this probably doesn’t look great.
I peek at Hawk, and my eyes widen. He’s aiming directly at Magnum’s skull, and his jaw is so tight I wouldn’t be surprised if he cracked a tooth.
“Oh my god,” I hiss, still sleepy and out of it. “I’m not in danger. Everyone just needs to calm down and let me wake up enough to explain.”
I scoot up until my face blocks Magnum’s. I used Moretti as a human shield that night in the warehouse, and now I’m doing the same for Mag.
I’m his best chance at not getting shot. There has to be at least a ninety-eight percent chance that Hawk won’t risk shooting me just to get to Magnum.
Magnum’s hand tightens on my lower back, and I realize I’m nude. I never bothered trying to find my pajama dress before I fell asleep, and that was a mistake.
“Climb off the bed, Vanessa,” Hawk growls.
I shake my head. “I can’t do that.”
“Now!” Hawk barks the order, and my body almost complies.
“The door was locked. That was a clear indication that you weren’t meant to come in,” I hiss, jabbing a finger at him. “Is no one,everin my entire life, going to respect my privacy?” My fury builds, and I edge higher up Magnum’s body. Pushing my top half up might be a bad idea because it leaves my bare tits hovering in front of Magnum’s mouth, but I can’t glare effectively while lying smooshed to his chest. “I need you to calm down and put the gun away.”
“I respect your privacy, darling.” Moretti’s condescending-ass voice comes from behind me.
