Page 143 of The Vigilant

“Eat.”

I looked up at the command and then at the bowl of ramen with steak and vegetables and kimchi that Tynan placed in front of me. I couldn’t help but close my eyes and take a deep breath, and then exhale a moan.

“That smells amazing,” I murmured, tipping my head back against his arms where they were propped on the back of my desk chair.

“Keep making those noises, little wasp, and I’ll be the one eating you,” he rumbled, burying his head in the side of my neck, his lip finding the beat of my pulse.

“I’d be okay with that.” I turned, my mouth searching out his.

I felt him try to hold back, but that never lasted long. His mouth claimed mine, my arms looping back over my head to hold him close as our tongues tangled hotly. Tynan kissed meslow and deep, one hand finding its way to my breast, rolling and teasing my nipple in a way that felt like he was sprinkling gunpowder over a live flame.

“Nice try,” he said, drawing back as he gave my nipple piercing a playful tug, a shoot of warm tingles reaching all the way to my toes. “You need to eat and finish your paper.”

I glared at him, half-tempted to take my knife and drive it directly through my laptop screen before climbing onto him. But he was right. I needed to finish this paper.

Still…I pulled my lip through my teeth, eyeing him coyly.

“And if I don’t?”

Hunger made his jaw pulse. “I’ll punish you.”

“You’re only making it more tempting.”

“Imagine how tempting I’ll make it for you if you do finish.”

My core tightened. I was so tempted…

“Fine.” I leveled my gaze back to my screen, dug into the dinner he’d delivered to my desk, and found a new determination to finish this English paper as fast as I could.

“Thanks, Daddy,” I tossed over my shoulder, my core clenching at the low sound he made in response.

Finding Tynan—loving him—was the start of something new for me. Life, I guessed, since I hadn’t really had anything resembling a normal one until now.

After Mara returned, she stayed at Sherwood with us for another month before deciding to start fresh in Denver. There was just too much weight in California for her to want to stay. I, on the other hand, found that the only heavy moments in my life were now the ones I didn’t share with Tynan.

It took me some time after Mara left to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. While Tynan’s offer to chain me to his bed and let himtake careof me twenty-four-seven was sorely tempting, he knew I needed my own purpose just like he did. And the first step was college.

I applied to the online program at the local community college and started with general classes. After months and many discussions, I tentatively found myself drawn to a pre-law focus. Maybe because I was starting to accept that the end of my knife could only exact so much justice. Or maybe because after everything, I wanted to make a difference in a way that was personal to me. Maybe that would change. Maybe it wouldn’t. Regardless, I no longer felt like I had to control the future out of fear because I knew whatever happened, Tynan would be by my side.

Just like he was now—making me dinner so I could stay focused on finishing my English paper. Always taking care of me.

The clock ticked later and later until finally I sat back and stared at the end of the assignment.Done.

I took a deep breath and then submitted the paper, closing my computer as soon as it was sent.

When I entered the bedroom, I smiled, seeing the lamp on Tynan’s nightstand still on and his book spread open on his bare chest while he dozed softly.

Biting my lip, I carefully slid the book from his hand, but before I turned the light off, my gaze caught on something inside the nightstand drawer. I quietly opened it a little farther and pulled out the small velvet box.

My throat tightened, my heart suddenly firing a mile a minute as I flipped open the lid. And then my jaw went slack, a giant diamond ring staring back up at me.

“Like what you see?”

I gasped and snapped the box closed like he hadn’t already caught me snooping.

“I’m sorry,” I said even though I made no move to put the box back.

“Are you?” He pushed himself up slightly.

---