Page 37 of Born into Blood

“Are you using me for my family?” I ask her.

She tenses and tries to pull away, but I tighten my grip on her and keep her pressed against me.

“What? No, of course not. Do you really think I’d do that?”

I ignore her question and ask another. “Do you wish me or anyone in my family harm?”

“No.”

That one word is filled with hurt and sadness that I might think something like that about her, but she’s wrong. I know that’s not why she’s with me.

“Then that’s all I care about, kisa. Why do you think us being together is a bad idea? Is it because of what I do?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

“Because my life is a mess, and you don’t need to get involved in it.”

“Your life can’t possibly be more fucked up than mine.” I run my fingers through her hair, letting the long strands slide over my skin. “Please tell me about it.”

She sighs, hitting my cheek with her breath and sending all my blood right back to my dick. She’ll feel it soon enough, but for now she’s oblivious as she starts talking.

“I told you my mom isn’t well. She’s been like this my whole life. At first I didn’t understand that something was wrong with her. I thought it was normal to constantly be looking over your shoulder for some scary, faceless threat. I thought other moms hid inside their apartments, spending all night looking out the windows to make sure no one showed up. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized something was really wrong.”

She rests her hand on my chest, fidgeting with the neckline of my T-shirt while she continues talking. “My mom was a receptionist at a dentist’s office until almost a year ago. Her mental health took a sharp decline, and it became very obvious that she could no longer hold a job. I’ve been working since I was sixteen, so at least I already had some money coming in. I’ve been able to cover rent and the other expenses, and now that Dominic has hired me to work upstairs, I should have more than enough to cover everything. I’ll probably get a second job since he only needs me a couple of nights a week.”

I don’t bother telling her there’s no way she’s going to be working two jobs and taking care of her mom. I’ll figure out a way to get her to accept my money.

“Do you have any other family? Did anyone help you?”

“No, it’s just the two of us.”

I cup the back of her head and tilt my face so I can kiss her forehead. “Not anymore it isn’t.”

She braces her elbow beneath her and uses it to lift herself up enough to face me. The hammock swings a bit, but despite her fears, we’re in no danger of tipping. The position does press her breasts against my chest, though, and this time I can’t bite back the groan.

Her body stills. “Did I hurt you? Am I too heavy?”

I laugh and slide the tips of my fingers along her cheek so I can tuck the loose strands of hair behind her ear.

“Of course you’re not too heavy, and you didn’t hurt me.”

“I heard you groan.”

“You did.” I drag my finger along her neck. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and your body is pressed against mine, so, yes, I did groan, but it wasn’t from pain.” I smile and give her a wink. “At least not the kind of pain you’re probably thinking of.”

“I’m not beautiful,” she whispers, and I know she believes what she’s saying, and I hate that.

“Yes, you are.”

I grab the hand that’s still fidgeting with my shirt and drag it lower, ghosting her fingers over my chest and stomach until pressing her much smaller hand against the raging hard-on that’s straining at my jeans.

“Luka,” she whispers, turning her wide eyes to mine.

“This is what you do to me, kisa. Every time I’m near you, you drive me fucking crazy.”

“I don’t see how that’s possible.”

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