Page 10 of Kingston

Fighting back those awful memories, I shook off the brief territorial sensation trying to claw at me.For a flash of a moment, I’d been jealous, imagining Kingston living with a woman.Sharing his life with her.Loving her.Which was ridiculous.He was being kind to my child and me, nothing more.I’d never been jealous of Charlie’s girls, and I sure as hell wasn’t jealous of any potential person that Kingston was involved with.

Iris began to squirm in Kingston’s arms as he walked deeper into the house.Other than Jim Lively, who hadn’t been around much at all, my daughter hadn’t been exposed to many men.It had been shocking how quickly she’d latched on to Kingston and then so effortlessly fallen asleep in his arms.I wasn’t sure if kids could sense the good and bad in people, but she’d trusted this man to keep her safe more than me when she’d been terrified in the hospital.

Pressing a kiss to the side of her head, he shushed her quietly before stepping through an open door.I paused on the threshold, his scent hitting me hard just as a lamp was switched on.His bedroom.A few items of clothing were on the floor by a hamper, but otherwise, the room was as tidy as the rest of the house.The bed was even made, a mixture of dark and light shades of gray patterned on the covers, pillowcases, and sheets.

Pulling back everything with one hand, he carefully laid Iris on the bed, shifting a few pillows in front of her so she wouldn’t easily fall off the bed in her sleep.Tucking the covers up over her, he paused to brush her hair away from her infected ear before straightening.

“Sorry, this place only has one bedroom.But I change the sheets once a week.”His lips ticked upward in a quick smile.“I kinda have this thing about fresh sheets.It’s always my favorite day, and I sleep deeper those nights.Switched these out yesterday, so you should be good tonight.”

“I should?”I asked, confused.“Kingston, this is your house.You have a huge couch out there that is plenty for Iris and me.Please don’t give up your bed for us.”

His smile dropped, his green eyes darkening as he narrowed them on me.“Yeah, this is my house, and I’m saying you are taking the bed, Demi.I want to know that you two are comfortable, and this bed is damn—” He abruptly stopped and glanced at Iris before correcting himself.“This bed is really comfortable.It’s a brand-new mattress too.Had it replaced a few months ago, because the other one was old and lumpy.You’ll sleep well tonight.”

“I don’t want to be an inconvenience,” I muttered, lowering my eyes.

“You’re not,” he growled, taking a step toward me.

My muscles locked, my body bracing for the first strike, the hit that would leave me bruised and bleeding and broken.It was instinct.I had no control over the reaction, although I wish I did.Especially when Kingston’s expression softened, his voice lowering as if he were talking to a frightened little animal.

“Baby, please don’t be afraid of me.I would never hurt you.Never.”

Hearing the pain in his voice, tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them back.“I’m not scared of you.Honest.This is simply a part of who I am.”I bit down on the inside of my cheek, fighting off the memories of why I was so skittish.“My ex programmed me to expect pain.”

His jaw turned to granite.“Give me his name.I’ll make sure he never has the chance to touch you ever again.”

If only…

But the fear of what Charlie’s family could, and very much would, do to Kingston if he beat the shit out of their precious son kept my lips sealed.“Thank you for letting us stay here tonight.”

“You’re going to be here a lot longer than tonight, Demi,” he told me, taking another step toward me.It was a careful move, his gaze traveling over me with a look in his eyes I couldn’t explain.No one had ever looked at me like that before, so I didn’t know what it meant.“Fresh towels are in the little closet in the bathroom.The fridge is stocked, but if you need anything—anything, Demi—I will get it for you.”

Throat tight with emotion, I tried to thank him.“That’s very kind of you, but you don’t have to?—”

“Do not finish that sentence, sweetheart.I do what I want, when I want.And what I want is to take care of you and Iris.That’s not because I’m a kind person.”He released a harsh laugh.“I’m so far from being kind, I’m in another stratosphere.I want… Fuck no, that’s a lie.I need, baby.I need to take care of you.And I’m going to.Now, go take a shower and then get some sleep.I’ll watch over Iris while you get ready for bed.”

“I don’t have anything to change into.”All my clothes were in the trunk of my car, and they were mostly dirty.I’d been saving up for a trip to the laundromat.Iris still had a few more days’ worth of clothes, though, so I’d been waiting.

He crossed to the dresser and opened the top drawer, pulling out a random pair of boxer briefs before opening the closet and grabbing a plain black T-shirt from a hanger.Instead of bringing them to me, he held them out, letting me come to him.

Swallowing with difficulty, I approached him, my heart in my throat.“Thank you.”

Those incredible green eyes darkened even more.“One day, you’ll understand that you don’t need to thank me, baby.”

ChapterSeven

Kingston

Grabbing the coffeepot,I groggily poured myself a mug.Shoving it back on the warmer, I rubbed sleep from my eyes with the palm of my free hand and opened the refrigerator door.I’d slept like shit on the couch.It was comfortable enough, but my head wouldn’t shut the fuck up so I could get some rest.

All I could think about was Demi and Iris.Where had they been the last few weeks since leaving the Lively house?What were they doing to get by during that time?

And who the hell was the bastard who had caused Demi to fear being touched?

Every time she flinched when I got too close or moved too fast or even changed how I was breathing because something frustrated me, I felt like I’d taken a kick straight to the chest.When I found out who the motherfucker was who had hurt my girl, I was going to be their angel of death.

Pouring cream into my cup, I left the container on the counter in case Demi wanted some.I’d heard her moving around in the bedroom earlier and had finally given up on trying to get any rest.As loudly as my stomach was growling, I figured my new roommates would be hungry too.

Placing the bacon in the oven, I started on the pancake batter.I was flipping the second batch when I heard little feet slapping against the floor.Turning my head, I watched as Iris ran into the kitchen.Her hair was a tangle of wild curls, a small crease in her forehead as she glanced around the room with wide eyes.

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