“You’re peeved a lot” he observed. “Learn from that, big guy,” I educated and twisted right back. He chuckled.”

“You’re my reward.” Oh God. I liked that he thought that. Like, a lot. So I agreed, “Okay.”

“You get that he took something precious from you, your ability to trust.... He took that from you, now's your time to fight and get it back...Just live in the now, Kia, keep livin' in the now and when I say that, right now..""That doesn't make me any less scared, Sam," I whispered in his ear and he lifted his head and looked down at me.""He strapped you with that too, baby. Fight back and learn to be fearless.”

“You’re a fucking miracle,” he whispered against my skin and I closed my eyes. I loved that he thought that about me. “I’m a woman,” I whispered back. “You’re an angel.”

“Whose SUV is this?” I asked once we were out of Carnal.“Mine.” He answered.I looked at him. “You drive a Harley.”“Not big on puttin’ bad guys on the back of my bike when I hunt them down, Ace. Fucks with my street cred.”

“I think we should break up,” I told him.“Jesus, you’re a pain in the ass,” he muttered and went back to his book.“Seriously, Vance.”“Shut up, Jules,” he said without taking his eyes from his book.”

“Gotta say, baby,” he murmured. “You’re beautiful always but you’re seriously fuckin’ beautiful when you’re takin’ me.” …“Gotta say, darlin’,” I murmured back huskily. “You’re handsome always, but you’re seriously handsome when you’re giving it to me.”