Page 81 of Creed

Bane frowns deeply. “When I picked Sophie up, Creed, and she yelled ‘gun.’” He pauses, and I nod, indicating I understand what he’s talking about because I heard every terrifying word. “That was her father.”

Andro sucks in a breath, and I growl.

Sophie looks between us, her brow pinched and her hands clenched. “Stop talking about me like I’m not here.”

Bane chuckles. “Sorry, sugar.”

My teeth grind at his familiar nickname for her, but I let it go.

“You guys better take off out of here.” Army jerks his chin at me. “Sitting on the tarmac makes us all sitting ducks for a sniper.”

“The outer shell and windows are bulletproof.”

“Well, that’s all good and dandy, but are they rocket-launcher proof?” He hikes a dark brow at me.

“Good fucking point,” Andro say, looking at me. “Let’s listen to the guy who was in the military, Creed.”

Sophie hugs Bane and Army, saying thank you, and I reach forward and shake their hands again. “Travel home safe.”

They nod, then slip back out of the plane, and I turn to Greer and Benny. “Thank you for all your help.”

“Didn’t do much, Boss,” Greer grunts. “But you know we always have your back.”

Benny claps my shoulder. “Good to see you, Creed.”

They leave, and Andro goes to the cockpit to tell the flight crew we’re ready for departure. Slipping my fingers between Sophie’s, I lead her toward the back of the plane, where there’s a sofa.

Sitting her down, I buckle her in, then sit beside her and buckle myself in, and she curls into me when I put my arm up. Tucking her knees in, she settles against me, her hand resting on my stomach, and I play with her silky tresses.

We have a lot to figure out about how to best navigate this new reality for us. But we’ll face whatever complications we need to, figure out the piece with her family, and deal with Morales and her father. And we’ll do it together, as a unit.

As soon as she’s ready, I’ll claim her the wayPapáindicated. Marriage. Babies. Our family. Her by my side as my queen.

And no thought has ever felt so right and filled me with such resounding peace.

Chapter 25

Creed

Sophie falls asleep fromher adrenaline crash shortly after we take off. After carefully removing her jacket and leaving her in her T-shirt because the plane is warm, I don’t move during the flight, trying not to wake her. She needs her rest for when we land and meet my family. Plus, she needs her rest for what I have planned for her.

Andro gives us whatever privacy he can on the plane. Not that Sophie needs privacy to sleep, but I want her to myself as much as I don’t want to disturb her.

When we land, and the plane stops at the hangar, I tilt her head, rub my thumb over the sensitive spot behind her ear, and my lips trail over her jaw. She shivers and shifts. Curled like a cat against me, she rubs her thighs together as if she’s seeking my touch there. I smile against her skin, pleased by her reaction to me, even while she’s still asleep.

“Creed.” My name is the softest whisper, floating from her lips right into my heart.

“Angel,” I whisper back, licking along her jawline until I meet her ear. “I’m going to devour you later…” Her hitched breath tells me she’s finally awake. “But first, we have things to do.”

I’m not a good enough man not to feel arrogant satisfaction at the want and need on her face when she looks at me, but I won’t do anything to appease that right now.

Technically, Icouldorder everyone off the plane and ravage her on the sofa, but I’m not going to. Because I want to torture her a bit; I want her need and want to increase. After all, she’s denied us for four months, and that can’t go unatoned. But her punishment will be delicious for both of us.

“Come on, angel.” I stand, adjusting my throbbing cock in my pants, and pull her to her feet.

She sways, both from still waking up and from her arousal. I drag my thumb over her shirt and the lace of her bra, feeling her taut nipple underneath. Her eyes are locked on mine, completely under my spell.

Leaning down, I touch my lips to hers, pleased when she instantly parts them to receive my tongue. But I don’t tongue fuck her like I want to. Instead, I suck on her full pouty bottom lip and pull back, grazing it with my teeth as I do so, making her shiver again.

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