AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I snort. “Is this where you tell me to eat my greens or you’ll redden my ass? I didn’t think we were doing that whole do what I say or I’ll punish you thing.”
The sound Teddy makes can only be described as a purr. “Believe me, Kipp. My hand on your ass would be far from a punishment.”
Oh?
I clear my throat and try again. “Oh?”
His chuckle is dark but his words soft. “Thank you for calling me.”
“Tell Alex thanks for answering.”
I swear he mutters, “Such a brat,” but it sounds so fond I can’t even be mad about it. “See you tonight, Kipp.”
“Later, hubs.”
When I end the call, I sigh. I actually freaking sigh.
I’m in such deep shit.
When I get home, my afternoon having been thankfully free of family-related disturbances, a grunt greets my ears. I perk immediately, seeking out Teddy like a homing missile. I find him on the weight bench, my shoes getting left behind me like detritus. My work bag follows.
“Daaamn,” I say appreciatively, eyes sweeping over Teddy’s form. He’s doing bench presses, his tank top decently soaked with sweat. His legs are spread, thick thighs on display as his arm muscles pop. “Honey, I’m horny. Home. I’m home.”
He snorts.
“Is that safe to do alone?” I ask, grabbing a chair from the island so I can watch.
He sets the barbell in its cradle before sitting upright and giving me his full attention. “I keep the weights low when I’m at home, so yes, it’s safe.”
I nod. “Uh-huh, uh-huh. So you don’t need a spotter?”
His lips twitch. “You want to spot me?”
“I want to do something to you,” I mutter as my eyes catch on a piece of paper on the countertop. “Hey, what’s this?”
Teddy answers as I pick it up. “Marriage license. It just arrived.”
Holy shit.
I skim through, reading aloud. “—join in lawful wedlock Theodore Maxwell Lavoie and Kipling Delaney…Lavoie?” I clear the squeak from my throat and try again. “Kipling Delaney Lavoie, né Mercer.”
We’re both quiet for a moment.
“I took your last name?” I finally ask.
“Seems so,” Teddy says quietly.
My mouth opens and closes a few times. How drunk was I?
I have the briefest flash of memory. The back of the club. Teddy’s hand in mine. The words, “I will keep you.”
It flits away like smoke.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
I don’t realize Teddy has moved until he’s standing right in front of me, smelling like a decadent mix of man and sweet vanilla. “What for?”
“For…all this,” I say, waving my hand at the marriage license but meaning everything. “For fucking up your life and stealing your name, and just—fuck. Dragging you into my mess.”
