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I should go out there and let her know I’m okay, but I heard Kevlar say he was coming in here. Maybe I should go out before he comes in. I still don’t have my bearings yet, and it seems it’s like he’s my kryptonite, if that makes sense. I don’t know why, it’s just the way he makes me feel. He always has. It’s why what he did hurt.
The door opens, and in steps the man himself, wearing nothing more than a pair of sweatpants riding low on his hips.
“There more of that,” he grunts, eyes locked with mine, finger motioning to the mug in my hands.
I nod and take another sip.
Kevlar shakes his head, steps toward me, grips the seat of my stool, and turns me until I’m facing him. He moves even closer, hands cupping either side of my face. “You sleep okay?” he asks, watching me closely.
Again, I nod.
“Use words, Tigress,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing my bottom lip.
“Yes.” I breathe, clear my throat, and try to pull away, though he doesn’t allow me to do so.
Instead, he leans in and kisses my forehead. Only then does he step away and move over toward the coffee maker. “You definitely worried the hell out of Jade. We all figured you’d sleep more than just a couple hours.”
“I haven’t slept more than one to two hours, and that was always more like me closing my eyes and listening for anything that might be coming for me.” I shrug, not really wanting to talk about this or anything else.
Kevlar pauses briefly from pouring coffee into a mug. I drop my gaze, not wanting to see the heated look in his eyes. It makes me wish for things I have no business wanting.
“What do you want to do today?”
I’m surprised by Kevlar’s question and find myself jerking my gaze back to his and asking, “Why?”
“Figured we could do something together,” he mutters and moves back to me.
He figures we could do something together. Is he mad?
“What are you doing?” I ask, shaking my head. He’s confusing me.
“I’m up after managing an hour of sleep, and since I’m up, I’m spending time with you. Now, what do you want to do?” Planting a hip against the counter, legs crossed, he watches me intently.
And that pisses me off.
“I’m not doing anything with you,” I snap and put my mug down, no longer interested in drinking more of it. Standing, I narrow my gaze on him. “You can go do whatever the hell you want, but leave me alone. You want to know what I’m going to do? I’m getting away from you and anyone else who wants to know what I want to do.”
“Calm down, baby, and tell me what’s going through that head of yours,” Kevlar says, straightening.
“No.” I can feel my anger growing. How dare he tell me to calm down or ask what’s in my head. “I’m not talking to you about anything. It’s not your business what’s in my head, and for that matter, stop calling me names. I’m not your anything, so just stop it.” I spin on my heel and stomp out of the kitchen before he can catch me. But he does grab my hand halfway through the main room.
“What’s with the attitude this morning?” he asks, twirling me to face him, locking his arms around me.
“Let me go.” I shove against him, unable to break his hold.
“Not until you calm down.”
Something about the sternness in his voice causes something to snap inside me, and I scream, claw, and struggle in his arms. Still, the bastard doesn’t let go of me. He keeps me locked to him and holds on tight.
He wants me to calm down. To talk to him. Tell him what’s in my head. How can I do that? Why would he want to know? They didn’t care enough to find me for months.Months! I endured somuch,and he wants to know what I’m thinking? I don’t even know. I only just found myself pulled out of the situation. That freedom is far too easily gotten. I can’t help but wonder. To question if they were a part of it.
I’m not sure I should trust them, no matter the fact they’re family to me. Until I know for sure, I refuse to let anyone close to me, including this man. I should say, most especially Kevlar. I knew then, as I do now, he’s my undoing, and I can’t handle what he makes me feel.
CHAPTER8
KEVLAR
Rosemary fights me, and I hold on tight. Like she did in the shower, she’s breaking down. But this time, it’s different. No longer her sadness, her grief. It’s her anger.
