Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(113)

“My scholarly author.” He had to kiss her. As he took her mouth, her cunt was a hot velvet sheath around his cock, her breasts soft under his chest. And her mouth was generous as he demanded a response.

She was going to kill him.

Pulling back, he cleared his throat. “As we talk, keep what I said in mind.”

“Yes, Sir,” she whispered.

Settling back into position, he kissed her forehead and got himself back under control. Time for her to talk. “I know you want me, Josie. You want what we can have together. But you’re also damned uncertain. It’s time to deal with your worries. Tell me what you’re concerned about.”

She bit her lower lip, nicely swollen from his kisses. “It’s mostly about Carson. What if things don’t work out between you and me? What if I bring you into our lives and then you leave, making Carson feel rejected by a father figure all over again?”

It was a legitimate concern. Her asshole father—and Everett—had done this damage. “You know what it feels like when a parent rejects you. I get it.” Holt rubbed his cheek against hers. “There are no guarantees in life. Circumstances change, people change. I can say I love you and want you and Carson as my own, but I can’t make you an ironclad promise everything will work out forever.”

Everything inside him wanted to do exactly that, to fix everything in the world for her.

“I know.” She looked away. “I’m just not sure I should risk—”

He set his fingers under her chin. “Look at me, Josie.”

Her eyes met his.

“Children learn by example. If you toss me aside to protect his heart—and yours—what are you teaching him? That he should flee every time his heart is at risk? That he should never fall in love because he might get hurt?”

Her eyes widened as his words struck home.

Life was full of lessons—and pain. After Nadia’d dumped him, he’d spent a fair amount of time thinking. Working through his reactions. It was instinctive to try to protect vulnerable bits. The balls, the throat…the heart.

“Oh, God. I’ve been teaching him to avoid love.”

“And loving him at the same time.” Holt stroked her soft cheek. “Truly living—and loving—is…risky, but isn’t that what it’s all about?”

When tears appeared in her eyes, his heart wanted to break. But the sweet acceptance was there also. She agreed.

He breathed out a relieved sigh. “Our relationship is going to take work, Josie. You, sweetheart, are a scrapper when it comes to everything else. Can you fight as hard to be with me?”

His muscles tensed as he waited.

“I love you,” she whispered.

Yes, that was the answer he needed. Thank-fucking-God.


Josie rubbed her cheek against Holt’s, breathing in his masculine scent. She loved him so much.

And she wanted him as a father for Carson. What finer gift could she give her son? Holt would show Carson everything a man could be. He’d fight for her boy. Comfort her boy. Love her boy.

He already did—she could tell.

She wanted Holt for her, too. She could think of nothing better than to spend her days with him, this man who would help her when she was weak, cheer her on when she was strong. He’d take charge if she wanted him to and wrap her in comfort and care.

And in turn, she’d be there for him. She remembered his grief that night after he’d lost a tiny patient. She had her own strengths to bring to the relationship, her own kind of comfort to give in return.

They were stronger together than they were apart.

Life wasn’t easy, though. There would be struggles in their future. That’s what he was concerned about. Whether she’d go the distance with him.

He’d taught her that he’d give his all to stay together. She smiled, thinking of the chocolates. He hadn’t given up on her and Carson. He’d bided his time and paved the way with sweets. Then he’d tied her down until she had to talk with him. She looked up at the headboard and the wrist restraints. “You’re pretty sneaky, aren’t you?” she muttered.

His lips curved in a smile. “Sometimes.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what, sweetheart?” he asked.

“Yes, I’ll fight to keep us together. I won’t cut and run. We’ll work things out…together.”

His eyes lit and the satisfaction in his expression silenced her completely.

At least until he started to move. Then the only thing she could do was moan as he took her…slow and gentle.

Hard and fast.

And very thoroughly.





Chapter Twenty-Seven





Soccer practice finished, Carson sat on the grass and stuffed his soccer shoes and shin guards into his backpack. Around him, the rest of the kids were also packing up to go home. Muttering, Yukio was trying to unknot one of his shoelaces.

After zipping up his pack, Carson pulled his phone from the side pocket. A quick glance at the top of the display showed a tiny envelope. He’d gotten a text. He grinned. It still gave him a rush, having his own phone like everyone else.

“Yo, Cars, whatcha reading?” Yukio looked over.

“Got a message.” Carson frowned, seeing the sender. “It’s Brandon. Now what?” All week, Brandon had acted like Carson wasn’t even in the room. So had Ryan. Made him feel like shit. At least, Yukio and Juan were still talking to him.