Limitless Love (Lotus House #4)(27)

Atlas’s eyes rounded. “Right-o. Message received. Oh, but hey, some of the gang is coming over tomorrow after work. Genevieve, Trent, the baby, and Amber and Dash. Should we plan to order in?”

“You know, Atlas, subtlety was never your strong suit.”

He ran his hand through his hair. “What the fuck am I supposed to say? You’ve been coming over every night, making dinner for everyone, which I hella appreciate by the way. Not gonna lie, I’ve never eaten better. But I know Moe doesn’t expect you to keep doing it. Especially with more people coming over. I just thought I should… I don’t know what the fuck I thought. You’ve put me in a weird spot. You’re Moe’s man but not…”

“I am.”

“You are what?” He struggled to cinch a few bags.

“I definitely am Monet’s man.” There was zero hesitation in my statement. Then doubt wiggled its way into my thoughts. “Well, I’m attempting to be.”

Atlas cringed. “Does she know that?”

“Working on it.” And hell if I knew a faster way to get her over that hump. I knew I needed to give her time. I’d read up a bit on post-traumatic stress. I could try my best to get into her headspace and give her what she needed to help her heal mentally, but I wasn’t the professional. All I could do was show her that I wasn’t going anywhere and that I was into her for the long haul. However long it took.

Atlas sighed, mimicking my own feelings. We hauled all the bags out of the car at once so we didn’t have to make a second trip.

“I wish you had entered the picture a year ago. Then we wouldn’t be dealing with this awkward shit.” He walked into the house in front of me, shifting sideways so the bags didn’t bang into the walls. I followed his lead.

“Me too. I’m paying for that mistake now. But I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.” It would be up to me to prove that to Monet. Just the thought of that woman had me smiling, and her kid… Shit, she might as well be my happiness meter. When Lily smiled, the entire world smiled with her.

My friend nodded while we filed into the kitchen. Lily was spinning in a circle in the open living room in front of Mila and Monet, who watched her every move.

“Hey, beautiful…Your Majesty,” I called to Monet and then Lily.

“King Clay. Finally! I’ve been waitin’ all day for you.”

“Really? Why’s that?” I asked, setting my bags on the counter next to the ones Atlas had put down.

“I have a ’prize for you.”

“A prize? What did I win?” I removed several cans of tomato sauce and spices, set them to the side, and continued to unload while Atlas put everything else away.

Lily pursed her lips. “You didn’t win somefing. I made you a ’prize.”

“Oh, you have a surprise for me.”

Her nose crinkled as I expected it would. “’S’wat I said. A ’prize!” She shook her head. “I gotta get it.” And then she was off, a blur of purple and blue fabric racing down the hallway.

I shook my head. “That girl is a ball of fun.”

Monet came over and leaned into me, pressing her good side against mine. I curled my hand around the back of her neck and into her hair. Soft as fucking silk. I couldn’t wait to hold on to the satiny strands while I fucked her. My mouth watered at the thought of taking her.

Visions of my hands cupping Monet’s head as I pounded into her from above, relentless in my pursuit of her pleasure, flashed across my mind. She’d tip her head back and offer her neck, which I’d take like a greedy beast.

Monet nuzzled against the side of my chest and inhaled long and slow, knocking me from the mini-daydream. I’d been having those kind of thoughts more and more every day I saw her but couldn’t have her.

“You smell so good,” she whispered.

Monet openly showing affection without me leading the charge. Hallelujah. I wanted to jump for joy and fist pump the air. Instead, I played it cool and ran my hands through her silky tresses. “Haven’t showered yet, beautiful. You’re smelling stinky man. Went to the store right after my last three clients.” I kissed the crown of her head.

She made a sound low in her throat, inhaled again, and closed her eyes as if she was truly taking me in. A thrill of excitement and arousal slinked down my spine, but I didn’t let it reach its target. No way was I going to get hard while she initiated affection on her own. Usually it was me touching her in small ways, helping her up, changing her bandages, caressing her cheek and arm. I’d been very careful not to go too far past the intense kiss we’d had last week.

She’d run hot and cold with her emotions since our heated kiss, and I was leery of pushing her too much further outside her comfort zone so soon after the attack. The last thing I wanted was to hurt her. I still believe she needed the time to process what happened as well as come to terms with the idea that I wasn’t going anywhere, that I wanted to be with her and Lily.

“You know, you don’t have to buy groceries, come over, and cook every night.” Her tone held a note of concern, and the hand that was lying flat against my abdomen fisted and fell to her side.

Not wanting her to start backtracking, I moved on her, forcing her to look into my eyes. “I want to. Frankly, babe, I love having you guys to come home to after a full day at work. It gives me something to look forward to.” Her eyes were honest and reactive. I knew what I was dealing with when I looked into them. Right then she was open, welcoming, and appreciative of my presence. Fuck if I didn’t love seeing that look on her face and holding her in the crook of my arms. Gave me the little bit of hope I needed to keep working toward more.