Limitless Love (Lotus House #4)(43)

When I exited Monet’s room and entered the kitchen, Mila and Atlas were sitting at the bar, chatting.

“Trent and Genevieve leave okay?” I asked.

Atlas nodded. “Yeah, they were uncomfortable with what happened. Promised them you’d take care of Moe and we had this covered. Told the crew I’d check in tomorrow after we had a chance to brief the cops.”

I nodded and ran a hand through my hair, remembering again I was in nothing but my track pants.

Atlas quickly ran his gaze over me from head to toe. “So, you guys were in there a long time.”

I didn’t address the amount of time we were gone. The time it took me to take care of my woman didn’t matter to anyone but me. As long as she was okay, safe and sound in her bed, wearing my shirt after having what I considered a pretty stellar orgasm, anyone else could fuck right off.

“Monet okay?” Mila asked. She scanned down my bare chest, one eyebrow cocked in what I could only assume was intrigue.

“I take care of what’s mine,” I declared.

“Is that so? You going to be doing that until she’s completely healed or until they catch Kyle?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

Knowing what Mila was really asking, I decided it was time she was in on my intentions with Monet. “I’m in a relationship with your best friend. She’s my responsibility now. Not that you aren’t important to her or me. But her safety and happiness rest on my shoulders. You feel me?”

Mila smiled. “Couldn’t ask for better.”

I liked that Mila thought I was good for Monet. It wouldn’t have mattered if she didn’t, but it sure as hell made things easier if her best friend, the woman who was like a sister to her, approved.

“Did you put Lily to bed?” I asked, glancing around the dark room, seeing that the pallet she’d been lying on was gone, the blankets folded up and placed in the basket in the corner. The rooms were clean of any mess, all the wine glasses were washed and in the strainer, and the beer bottles had been removed.

“Of course we did.” Atlas cringed. “Dude, do I need to remind you that we’ve been family long before you came around?”

I clenched my teeth, realizing he was right. Still, I couldn’t help the need to protect crawling up my spine. It made me downright overbearing. “Yeah, well, now I’m here. And like I said, I’ll be taking care of my girls.” I made sure what I said was direct and to the point. There would be no questioning my position in this household or with Monet and Lily anymore. Not even from her best friends.

“Your girls?” Mila’s tone carried a hint of amusement.

“Damn straight.”

“Right on,” Mila said with mildly smug satisfaction.

I smiled and clasped her shoulder in thanks for her support. “As you can see, I need a shirt.”

Again Mila’s gaze ran up and down my form. “Don’t put on a shirt on my account.” She grinned and waggled her eyebrows. “You’re built. I could look at you all day.” Mila had never been a shy woman.

I laughed and Atlas frowned. “Do I need to put you over my knee and spank your ass, wildcat?”

She grinned and winked at me before turning around. “Oh, I’d like to see you try!” she fired off before leaping from the stool and running down the opposite hall toward the guest bedroom.

Atlas turned to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Like the way you took care of Moe. Happy you’re here for them. They need a good man in their lives.”

“And I’ll try to be that man with everything I’ve got in me.”

“Fuckin’ A. Now I’ve got a hot little Latina to nail down, with an emphasis on the nailing.” He waggled his own eyebrows, his curly hair flopping over his forehead.

I laughed. “You do that. Just don’t wake Lily. I’m going to update the detectives, get them over here in the morning. And I’m spending the night.” I let that hang out in the open. This would be the first time I’d be staying the night, and I didn’t want any flack.

“Figured as much,” he said and sauntered off to his woman.

I shook my head, retrieved my bag from my car, and stopped when I got back to the front door. I turned and stared off into the night, clocking every car on the street, surveying the ones in the driveways, which houses had lights on and off. I didn’t see anything suspicious or any place someone watching might hide. Made me think he was lying.

Maybe Kyle was just trying to scare her. Either way, tomorrow we’d be dealing with the detectives. And that security system she said she didn’t need would be installed immediately; I’d make sure of it. She had no choice in the matter. Same went for changing the locks and her phone numbers.

Fucker messed with the wrong woman.

MONET



I woke with warmth blanketed all around me. A steady beat entered my consciousness, and I smelled fresh pine and musky man. I hummed and snuggled in before it dawned on me that my face was planted against a very hard, very real male chest.

Slowly I eased my head up, resting my chin on the firm flesh.

A hand wrapped around my nape as I lifted my gaze to meet the clear blue eyes of the man I’d been dreaming about.

“Mornin’, beautiful.” Clayton rubbed at the back of my head, and I practically purred. I stretched my leg higher, coming into contact with a hard, very impressive bit of his anatomy.