Deacon (Unfinished Hero #4)(61)

“I’m also the man who’s gonna eventually have to take a job but I’m gonna do it thinkin’ of when I can get back to you, and when it’s done, I’m gonna haul ass back to you. And I probably won’t sleep or eat while I’m doin’ that so you’re just gonna have to suck it up, feed me when I get back, f*ck me hard like you just did, and let me crash.”

I had something to say to that.

“I don’t want you to get in an accident.”

At that, he dipped his face so close to me, I could feel his breath on my lips.

“Baby, that shit happened, my ghost would come to you.”

Oh my God.

Yes, oh yes.

He was saying a lot.

“Now, do you get what kind of man I am?” he asked.

“Yes,” I breathed.

“And do you get the kind of man I am for you?”

There was a nuance of difference but he didn’t need to explain it.

I got it.

“Yes, honey.”

“Right. Now, can I go to sleep?”

“Yes, Deacon.”

At that, he kissed me, closed-mouthed and hard, then rolled again, moving me with him and tucking me into his side.

I drew in a deep breath.

Deacon didn’t. He just curled me closer when I did and loosened his hold when I let my breath out. A show of support. He was there with me. He knew that was a lot for me to take and he was telling me he was there.

Yes, I knew the kind of man he was for me.

I listened to his breathing even. I did this for a while.

Then I stated, “I still don’t want you to get in an accident. I’m not sure ghosts give good head.”

Deacon burst out laughing.

Although I loved that sound and that it was me who gave it to him, I lifted my head to look down at his moonlit face, stating through his mirth, “I’m only kind of being funny.”

He again pulled me up his chest so we were face to face.

“Here’s the deal,” he began when his laughter diminished. “I’m done with a job, I’ll stop to sleep and eat. It won’t be much sleep and it’ll be shit food that’s fast that I can eat on the road. Happy?”

“So badasses can compromise.”

“Jesus, I’m wiped and now I gotta rally in order to spank you,” he told the ceiling.

“You don’t have to do that,” I replied quickly, though only because I was tired too and I was pretty certain another orgasm might kill me.

His eyes came to mine. “What’d I say about being a smartass?”

“It’s a part of me,” I pointed out.

“It’s a part of you that’s gonna get you a red ass.”

“Please don’t. I think another orgasm tonight might kill me.”

I gasped as his hand darted out, curled around the back of my head, and pulled me to within an inch of his face.

“There it is, Cassidy, you know me,” he said, his voice heavy with meaning.

“Sorry?”

“We haven’t played, we haven’t even discussed playing, and you know I do that shit to you, it comes with an orgasm.”

Again.

He was right.

Sheesh.

“Shut up, let me go, and go to sleep,” I bossed.

“And I know you because I know you’re bein’ bossy right now not because you’re my Cassie boss, which you are, but because I’m right and you’re not willin’ to concede because you’re f*ckin’ stubborn.”

“I think I prefer silent, speaks with his eyes and actions Deacon.”

“Kiss him good-bye, baby, and don’t bitch. You opened the floodgates.”

“Ugh,” I grunted. “Time to build a time machine.”

“Stop amusing me and settle in, woman. We got gutters to take care of tomorrow.”

We did.

Why did that make me happy?

I didn’t let on.

I mumbled, “Oh, all right,” shut up, and settled in.

When I did, Deacon’s arm around me gave me a squeeze and again, he was right. I knew him.

Because I knew that arm squeeze came along with Deacon smiling.

That also made me happy.

I again didn’t let on.

“Now I’m freaked out about us discussing playing,” I said to the room.

I heard Deacon’s head move on the pillow and I knew it was him digging it in so he could say to the headboard, “Jesus.”

“Just saying,” I muttered.

“You think I’d ever do anything to you that you wouldn’t like?” he asked.

I was an idiot.

“No.”

“You got nothing to worry about.”

“Okay.”

“Now go to sleep.”

“Your wish is my command.”

That got another arm squeeze, this one I read as amused and annoyed.

It also got another “Jesus.”

I was right. I heard it in his tone.

Amused and annoyed.

I grinned at his chest.

“’Night, Deacon.”

His body relaxed. “’Night, Cassie.”

I snuggled closer.

Deacon’s arm grew tighter.

He fell asleep before me.