Page 23 of The Game

The window catch clicked, and he pushed it open. “Rancide, I see you sneaking by. Like with my last warning, one more step out of line from you, and I’ll throw you in Deadwater River. If you don’t believe me, search up how many times I’ve been sued for assaulting assholes who cross me.”

Dimly, I registered the sound of hurrying footsteps, but I was too caught up in the moment. My words came in a breathy exhale. “Why does it turn me on that you’re so violent?”

“Because you know I’ll never hurt you. I’ve never laid a hand on a woman and never will. But any fucker who dares come near you will regret it. I’d protect any lass, but for my woman, I’d break any number of bones and crack anyone’s skull. I’d kill for you, Emmeline. You have my word.”

I didn’t need to hear more. Only for him to fuck me until I came with a cry the whole city could hear.

Malachi followed me quickly as if my orgasm had triggered his. He emptied into me then breathed with his forehead to my collarbone, his huge shoulders heaving. We gently came down from the dizzying heights.

“I love you.”

I lifted my head. He connected his gaze to mine.

I knew it was the spirit of the game that drove his words, but it was all too easy to repeat them back.

“I love you, too.”

We cleaned up, and I finished packing, collecting more clothes than I probably needed. I eyed the pile on my bed, a little embarrassed at seeming overly enthusiastic.

Malachi’s eyebrows merged. “What about the rest of it?”

I glanced back at my formal work suits still hanging in my wardrobe. “I don’t need them right now.”

“But you will eventually.”

“I have a whole month off. It’s fine.”

He scowled but let me be.

Outside, we returned to his car, Malachi carrying all of my bags.

“What did you mean when you shouted at my neighbour about the warning you gave him?” I asked.

He scrunched up his nose. It was such an unexpectedly cute action that I stared.

“Any chance you can forget I said that?”

I went to refuse but paused. “If you can forget that I watched your interview.”

His shrewd gaze held mine. He pressed the button for his car’s boot to automatically open and tipped me a wink. “For now. We can live in the moment. Past and future are off the table until we agree to bring them back.”

Phew. “One other thing. You said that I’d meet your kids.”

“Aye. I can take time out from my job, but I can’t bin off dad time. I wouldn’t want to. More the point is that I want you to meet them. It’s important to me. They’re coming on Saturday, so long as you agree.”

Oh, shit.

Chapter 13

Emmeline

The rest of my first week with Malachi fell into an easy pattern. We talked, he cooked, we spent a lot of time in bed. He worked out most days, which I enjoyed watching so much, and we went for runs together.

It always ended in more sex.

Against trees in the woods behind his house, in his gym over the weight bench. There wasn’t a surface he didn’t claim me on or over, and I was entirely hooked. All he had to do was beckon, catch my waist, or even say my name and I was a puddle.

The version of him I’d discovered by mild stalking was nothing compared to the man I was getting to know. I couldn’t believe how simple it was with him. There was nothing I didn’t like. His personality excited me. I adored his thatched cottage home. He was entirely possessive but in a way that made me feel protected and safe.

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