Page 54 of Knot Innocent
“Accompanied,” he interrupts.
“Accompanied by Knot security personnel.”
Considering the matter closed, I nod in approval and resume exploring her soft curves. Birdie sighs at my touch and, after a while, tentatively speaks my name. “Bastien?”
I still my hand on her stomach at her tone and lift my eyes to meet hers. Eyes blazing, earnest, and sincere, she says, “You’re a good man in spite of him. Don’t let his memory diminish what you’re capable of being. I want to do this with you. I know you want me. I don’t want your father to take you away from me. Do you understand?”
I give her a solemn nod. Voice rough, I answer, “I’ve wanted you since that day in the woods, but before we go any further, you have to promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“Keep training. Learn to shoot. If I ever lay a hand on you other than to bring you pleasure, I want you to kill me.”
Birdie recoils at what I’m asking, but I won’t budge. I have to have this from her. She reads the sincerity in my eyes and yields. “I don’t think I need to, but I swear it. And, in case you still have doubts, I want you to think about this. Your dad didn’t kill your mom the first time he hit her. If you were to ever lay a hand on me, you wouldn’t have to worry about doing it again. Knot would make you disappear before you ever got the chance. How’s that for insurance?”
“I’d say you’ve got a deal.”
“Good. Now, kiss me.”
I’ll do more than that.
Birdie
A large hand glides over my ass as I bend to retrieve the cinnamon rolls from the oven. Dreamy thoughts of Bastien’s performance last night have my body humming. I don’t think Bastien realizes it, but I suspect his dominance in the bedroom is a safe way for him to channel his rage.
If that truly is the case, I’ll gladly play sub to his dom. Just not right now. “Down, boy. I’m already going to be exhausted after last night. I don’t need to add being late to the equation.”
Bastien lets go of my ass and runs his fingers through my flat-ironed hair. “How come you only wear your hair this way for stings?”
I didn’t wash and return it to my typical style this morning, instead spending a few extra minutes wrapped up with Bastien. “I don’t know. I always thought it made me look younger, and I had a hard enough time being taken seriously.”
“You don’t look like a kid now. You look pretty damned hot.”
My cheeks heat, and I turn away to hide my smile. I’m dressed as usual for work, including my glasses, and Bastien thinks my pudgy little ass is hot.
The two of us sit at the bar with our pastries and coffee, and Bastien brings up our strategy for the morning. “I’ll follow you into work. Both our cars need to get screened just to be safe. I’ll shower and change before taking one of the fleet SUVs to the DC hangar. My team will fly back sometime between Friday and Sunday, whenever we’re dismissed.”
For a moment, I worry about what things will be like between us after all this. I fear Bastien might do some thinking while he’s away and go right back to being stubborn and distant.
Bastien must know what’s going through my head as he grabs my chin, coming nose to nose with me. “And as soon as my feet touch the ground, I’m coming for you. You’re mine, baby girl. You couldn’t escape now if you wanted to.”
The possessiveness in his words and the dirty promise in his eyes send a shiver down my spine. I can’t wait.
Bastien helps me load my re-packed bags into the back of my car, and we set off for the Knot Corporation compound. He must have called ahead as the gate guard directs me straight to the motor pool.
We both hand over our keys to Frank, and Bastien grabs my bags from the back. The hallways are eerily quiet, which is always the case when all teams are deployed. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to make good use of the empty space with Bastien… any empty space.
Once we’ve reached the women’s dorm, we set my bags inside, and I walk with Bastien down the hall since the men’s locker room is on the way to my office.
He stops in the open doorway and turns around, pinning me to the frame and resting his forearm above my head. “You’re a brave one, Birdie Crenshaw.”
“Just stubborn,” I reply with a shrug.
Bastien slowly dips his mouth toward mine and whispers, “I’m glad.”
I’m treated to a toe-curling kiss before Bastien disappears inside to shower and change. Then, I practically float to my office, already looking forward to the weekend.
I haven’t even powered on my computer before a knock sounds at my door. “Nice to have you back safe and sound.”