Page 144 of Dark Surrender

I kiss the top of her head. “Do what?”

“Everything. Leave me. Make me love you. Give me… that… I… I’m still tingling. Fluids came out of my body. I’m…” She tweaks my nipple, and I suck in a breath as pleasure-laced pain shoots to my groin.

“Sweetheart. I’m sorry I left you. I’m here now. You squirted, and that’s normal. That’s okay.” It’s more than okay. It was hot as sin, but that’s not what she needs to hear right now.

“I don’t know how I feel.”

“And that’s okay.”

“This is a lot. You jerk.” Iris holds out her hand to admire the gold band with a vintage green emerald at the center, surrounded by smaller emerald chips.

Pecking the side of her head, I wholeheartedly agree. “I am a jerk.”

“Ugh,” Iris grunts. “Don’t agree with me.”

“But it’s true. Just so you know, I wanted to come home to you.”

“You died.”

“Yeah. I did.”

“Now you didn’t. You’re here. Asshole.”

“Now I am here, and I’m never leaving you again.”

“Promise?” she whispers, hopeful.

“Yes. I promise.”

The phone on the nightstand vibrates with an incoming call. Iris tries to wriggle out of our cuddle to get it, but I reach over, answer it, and turn on the speakerphone.

“Iris!” Kali sobs. “Is he there?”

“I’m here.” I chuckle, knowing damn well I’m the one she’s referring to.

“Oh. My…” Kali shrieks in frustration. “I’m gonna kill you, you fucking dickhead!”

I laugh at her outrage, even if it is warranted. “It’s good to hear from you, too, Kali.”

“Is Iris there?”

“Yes. I’m here,” my woman says.

“Did you make her cry?” Kali accuses, ready to commit murder for her friend. It makes me smile.

“If you must know, I made her come. We’re a little busy reuniting. Which you should also be doing. We’ll come by later today.”

Pops’ voice comes out scratchy in the background, then there’s a squeal from my ex-wife, and the phone goes dead.

Iris giggles, and I follow suit as my woman looks up at me with the prettiest smile. I peck the tip of her upturned nose. “Now what?” I wink, thankful the tension is gone, and it’s just us, naked in bed. Because I can, I brush my fingertips up and down her soft thighs and eventually sneak in and play with her sweet little cunt once more.

Fuck. I’m already addicted.

Not that I wasn’t before all this shit went down.

I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since I’ve seen her. It feels like just yesterday she was leaving with Kali to help the children.

Nope.