Page 123 of Making Choices

“Just say it,” I tell him.

“You needa get a grip.”

Smoothing a lock of my duchess’ hair from her forehead, I peer down at her and swallow. “I know.”

“She ain’t goin’ anywhere,” he murmurs. Flicking on the indicator, Toker exits the freeway. We lapse into silence, lost in thought, until he adds. “Know it feels like you only have a small window that could close at any time, but I don’t think that’s true. Even if he tries to get her back, she’ll never trust him like she does you, so he’s always gonna be fightin’ a losin’ battle.”

“Mumma thinks I’ll end up sharin’ her with him.”

Toker visibly shudders. “Now that’s a vision I didn’t need in my head.”

“Me neither.”

After we pull into my driveway, he puts the van into park and slowly twists around in the driver’s seat. The injuries he sustained during his abduction are barely healed. Still wearing a hip brace and battling to rehab his badly broken shooting arm, it’s obvious that the last place he wants to be tonight is trapped in a van with me doling out relationship advice, yet his expression is filled with sympathy as he says, “Havin’ somethin’ you’ve wanted for a long fuckin’ time within reach fi-na-fuckin’-ly is a double-edged sword.”

“Tell me about it.” As Cherub moves restlessly on my lap, I lean over to slide the door open. Toker grins as I gently work my arse to the edge of the seat, then slowly climb out of the van without jostling the sleeping woman too much. “’Preciate the pep talk, though.”

“It’s all a matter of patience, grasshopper.”

“That’s what I keep tellin’ myself.” I slam the van door too hard as my temper erupts again. “Doesn’t seem to be gettin’ me anywhere, but.”

In my arms, Cherub startles awake. She blinks fast, scans my face with sleepy eyes, then leans her head on my shoulder. The sigh that leaves her after she’s resettled against me is like a hit of adrenaline to my heart.

Her cousin snorts. “Yeah, I can see that… seems like my lil cuz finds you completely repulsive.”

“Want you to know that I’m not a danger to her.” My change of subject is abrupt, but it’s a point that needs to be addressed. “Never will be.”

“Wouldn’t be leavin’ her here tonight if I thought there was even a possibility.”

After saluting me, Toker reverses out of my driveway like he’s in a backward drag race, then speeds off down the street. It takes me a few extra moments to find my keys and let myself inside my house. The alarm resets behind us and the sound of the shutters lowering indicates that Wyatt is on prospect duty tonight. He’s never been shy about making himself at home since his sister lives here. Both of the younger Mayberry brothers were quick to declare “mi casa, su casa” when it came to maintaining access to their big sister.

Carrying Cherub up the stairs, I pause at her bedroom door, before I decide that I’m going to continue to push my luck tonight.

My bed beckons.

A massive custom-made monstrosity that’s had a sum-total of one woman in it.

The precious Cherub currently passed out in my arms.

I lower her onto the mattress, then I pull her heels off. After wriggling her skirt down her hips and off her legs, I strip off her flimsy top. Clad in lace panties and a bra that holds her tits up like a bounty from the God’s, Lilianna Mayberry is a tempting sight. Rather than steal more of a look than I already have, I shed my cut, then pull my t-shirt off.

Covering her curves is a crime, yet my pulse pounds even harder at the sight of her in my Shamrocks t-shirt. I’ve spent years watching her wander around in Venom’s clothes, always dreaming that I’d see her in mine one day. Most times, reality doesn’t match expectation, but I can honestly say that it’s the opposite in this situation.

Cherub is mine.

The intensity of that thought just about takes my knees out.

Mouth dry.

Hands trembling.

I tuck her into the side of my bed that’s remained vacant since the last time she slept in it.

Quickly undressing, I wash up, then I climb in next to her. The second the mattress dips, Cherub rolls over and snuggles into my side. She throws a leg over mine and slides her palm along my abs. Head on my shoulder, she allows me to hold her tight. Another of her content-filled sighs fills me with affection. I rest with one arm folded behind my head and the other around Cherub.

Staring up at the ceiling, I bask in the familiarity of this position.

It’s been weeks since I had her in my bed.

---