Page 59 of Pirate

Her cheeks puffed out like a hamster’s, Sophia chewed as the dark liquid poured out into the tiny ceramic cup that had also been added to their kitchen collection upon Jasmine’s move. When she finally swallowed several minutes later, she picked upthe espresso and chugged it back so swiftly it might as well have been a shot glass.

Sophia let out a loud, “Ah!” and then smacked her lips together. She blinked, stood up straighter, and seemed to finally come awake.

She turned to him and smiled. “Good morning.”

As adorable as he found her morning antics, he would not let it distract him. “Shut the fuck up and grab a seat.”

She blinked at him in surprise. Then she looked around. The kitchen was a small inlet just off of the front door. There was a long counter, the sink, range, and fridge all crammed into one small U-shaped space. “And where would you like me to sit?”

He snagged the edge of her shirt—actually,hisshirt—and pulled her to him. Careful of his balance, Pirate spun them and then lifted her up onto the counter. He leaned over her, keeping his weight on his arms, with his hands on either side of her hips.

“I have had it up to here,” he raised his right hand head-level before lowering it, “with you. You are annoying, sassy, a bit of a slob, certifiably insane, stubborn as a fucking mule,” he added through gritted teeth, “andI don’t know who’s crazier, you or me,” he stared into her beautiful hazel eyes, “because I am head over heels fucking in love with you. Don’t ask me how or why. Fuck, I didn’t even know it until the other day at the hospital. But you, Sophia Groveton, aremine.”

She stared down at him with a mixture of amusement, disbelief, and—dare he believe it—love. It took her a moment to work through her shock and then she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her thighs opened on the counter to bring him closer to her. “You’re definitely crazier,” she informed him with a sassy smile. “But I’d love to ride this crazy train with you.”

“Yeah?”

She nodded. “Yeah.” She scratched the back of his head at his hairline. “How’d you figure it out?”

“Carlos. You?”

“Jazz. She knows everything, by the way, except for the drunken marriage.”

Pirate nodded. “Yeah. We’re still going to have to figure that part out. But that’s a Later Problem. A Right Now Problem is why the fuck you didn’t call me Monday night when you felt like there was someone in your house. Did you not think I would drop everything and come to you?”

Sophia winced and made a face. “No, that was the problem. I knew you would.”

“I’m not seeing the problem.”

“I’m used to solving my own issues, Pirate. I’m not used to having someone I can call except for Jazz. Sure, Carlos is my friend too, but he has other responsibilities. I don’t want to be a bother. Besides, I was so sure it was in my head.”

“It wasn’t,” he told her sternly. He leaned close. “And you’re not alone. You’re never going to be alone again.”

Sophia’s lips twitched. “I really like the sound of that. It might just take me a little bit to believe it, okay? Be patient with me.”

“Hey,” he nudged her hips with his arms, wiggling her. “Same boat, remember? Or crazy train. I’ve never been in a relationship that lasted longer than a single night either. At least, not since I became an adult. There’s going to be some rocky times. We’re going to have to figure some things out and what works for us. But as long as you’re in this with me, I have faith that we’ll get there.”

Sophia smiled, leaned down, and kissed him. “Me too.” Then she pulled back, her face scrunched in confusion. “Wait,wasthere someone in my house?”

“Yes,” Pirate growled out. “He was there when you arrived home Monday night. He came in through your slider.”

“Oh fuck!” Her eyes went wide. “I didn’t think… I mean, I felt it but I didn’t actually think…”

“That’s not all. He was there Sunday before you got home but left before I dropped you off and he tried to show up again last night, saw some of the club there, and left before entering.”

Her face paled. “But he wasinmy house while I was sleeping. He moved my boots.”

“We don’t know why, but yes. There aren’t cameras in your house but it’s the only explanation.”

“Fuck…” she breathed out. Then she gasped, “Do you think it was Fletcher?”

“I did,” he said unhappily. “Until Jumper informed me of his alibi Monday night. While your creeper was in your house, Fletcher was with me at the club’s garage.”

“What were you two doing together?” Sophia asked in confusion.

Pirate shook his head. “Not important. Unfortunately, I can personally confirm that it was not Fletcher.”

“Well, shit.” Worry crossed her face. “What now?”

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