Page 25 of You Are My Every Reason

The kiss is sweet and slow, so unlike Rich in every other part of his life, it seems, except with me. He takes his time savoring me, and I do the same. This man is always so gentle with me, giving me a part of him reserved only for me.

Heat blooms through my whole body, and I press my chest into him, wanting to be closer. He lets out another groan but lifts his mouth from mine.

"Not here, dollface," he says, pressing a kiss to my forehead. I blink a few times, having forgotten we're in front of a ton of people. I almost want to laugh. I'd been so freaked out being around so many people. Then Rich was there, making me forget them all. I knew once I found him, I'd be okay.

I'm always safe with him. I know it to my core.

"Not done with him." Rich's voice drops, a cold chill to it. He tucks me into his side, and I realize he's talking to King.

"I know you're pissed."

"We're not doing this right now," Rich tells him.

"I know, I'm only letting you know I already have it all handled. Zero has been here too. He made sure no one's phone was working." King smirks, and I notice the corner of his mouth has a bruise forming.

"Who is Zero?" I find myself asking.

"A tech guy," Rich mutters. He's still pissed. The tension has returned to his body.

“How about you all head back to the house?” King suggests.

“How about you shut the fuck up for once in your damn life before I knock another smirk off your face?” Rich takes a step toward King, but I step back, which Rich follows. I place my hand on his chest to make sure he doesn’t go after him.

It makes me feel oddly powerful that Rich adheres to my touch. I bet a concrete wall couldn't hold him back, but my hand easily can.

“Why is he so pissed at you, Vasily?” Willa pokes her husband in the chest. Her bright pink nail polish is such a contrast to him.

“Can we go home? I’ll feel safer there.” I don’t know what it means that Carl was here. Is my father close? Will he tell him he saw me?

“You’re safe,” Rich reassures me. “But we can go. We can leave this island if you want. I'll take you to the other side of the world if you ask." I suppose that could make me safer, but it’s not what I want.

It doesn’t go unnoticed by me that Rich is willing to leave his entire life and family behind for me. It’s not something I would ever ask him to do. Plus, I don’t want to leave this little island where I now have people who care about me. Doing that would give the power back to my father, and he would win.

“I like our room.” Rich has made me feel so safe there. Untouchable, really.

“I’m starting to like our room too.” He smiles down at me. “Let’s go.” Rich leads us back out. I have noticed many people have cleared out. I assume the fights have concluded for the night.

“Hey! Wait up! I’m riding with you!” Willa shouts. We turn back around to see King shaking his head. He catches up to Willa in two seconds, tossing her over his shoulder. “We’re fighting. You can’t manhandle me.” She lets King know her objections.

“I’m husbandhandling you,” King replies with a smile on his face.

“Come on.” Rich shakes his head. “Are you okay with me driving, or we can ride back with Teddy and West.”

“I think I’m good.” What I want more than anything is for the two of us to be alone.

It doesn’t take long for us to get back to the estate. The second the gates close behind us, I relax more.

“I’ve got you.” Rich strokes the inside of my thigh.

“I know. This place makes me feel like I might have a home.”

“There is no might to it, dollface.” He parks the car right out front. “Stay put,” Rich says before hopping out of the car. I watch as he comes around to open the door for me.

“I could have done that.” I take his hand.

“But you don’t have to.” His fingers tangle with mine. “Come on. I need to get you out of that shirt.”

“I really like this shirt.”

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