Page 7 of Blood and Redemption

“Do you know who I am?” I ask as I search the cabinets in the large kitchen for anything edible. Turns out, Ren has this place stocked for the zombie apocalypse. There’s so much to choose from, there’s not a chance I’ll go a single day hungry.

“Rocco Parada.” My name rolls off her tongue and my cock thickens without much thought. “My brother has spoken about you before. Mostly complaints, but some compliments.”

As I click my tongue, she steps closer.

“I’m sure he’s only spoken of the truth.” Plucking out a box aimlessly, I stare at the directions without reading them.

All I can focus on is how much closer she plans on getting with each cautious step.

Ren wouldn’t want me getting close to her, even if she is something special.

I can’t touch her. Hell, even breathing in this sweet vanilla scent rolling off her is pushing my luck.

Out of all the men he could’ve brought here, he picked the worst one.

She’s cautious—I can see it in the way she holds herself, the slight hesitation before each step. Smart woman. Sheshouldbe wary.

But then she does something stupid.

She moves closer. Close enough that her hair brushes my arm, the scent of vanilla and something floral curling into my space. It’s soft. Sweet. Everything I’m not.

“How long will you be staying?”

I tilt my head down, my gaze catching on her mouth before I can stop myself. Full lips, slightly parted. An invitation for trouble.

“Until further notice.”

In short, until I do something to fuck up and get kicked out. If I have to guess, a few hours at best.

4

Aurora

My brother must really trust this man. It’s a wonder I haven’t met him yet.

To leave me alone with someone else is a miracle. At the same time, it’s left me yearning for something new.

But beneath the unease, there’s something else—a restless pull low in my stomach. The thrill of the unknown. The dangerous, foolish hope that maybe, just maybe, this man could give me what I want.

“You shouldn’t get too close,” he warns, his voice deep. No longer from sleep, there’s a warning behind each word. “Ren says I need to keep my distance.”

“Ren isn’t here.” I don’t need to point out the obvious, I’m sure he’s well aware.

It’s why he’s so tense, probably worried about crossing lines.

The island stools sit untouched—too far, too polite for what I want. So I aim for the counter instead, palms braced against the edge as I try to hoist myself up.

It should be easy. It used to be easy. But now my arms tremble, my cheeks flush, and it has nothing to do with the effort and everything to do with the weight of his gaze burning into me.

A clatter interrupts my struggle—the cardboard box hitting the counter. Then he’s there, crowding into my space with a low murmur.

“Troublesome in every way.”

His hands sear through the thin fabric of my shirt as they grip my waist, lifting me like I weigh nothing. The world tilts, and suddenly I’m perched on the edge, his hips slotting between my knees like they belong there. He doesn’t pull back. Just lingers, like he doesn’t want to move either.

“Happy now?” His words rumble through me, teasing and rough.

This must be why Ren kept me hidden away. He didn’t want me caving to the first man to cross my path. Look at me now, desperate for his attention.

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