Page 37 of Blinded By Loyalty
But I didn’t get much sleep, not when I knew my days were numbered. Watching Simone made me happy. Happiness was a good feeling, one I didn’t think I’d genuinely enjoyed in my life. My childhood had been horrible. Then I’d been thrust into being my brother’s caregiver. I didn’t get to screw around like my friends after graduating high school. I’d become a parent overnight. It was why I didn’t want kids. Raising Conrad had been enough for me.
But now, as I gazed upon the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on, I wished I would have more time with her. Hell, I wanted to spend a lifetime with her and maybe even have a baby.
Fucking Conrad and his stupid fuckups. If I let myself, I might hate my brother for putting me in this position. Just when it appeared I might have Simone, my life would end in a matter of days.
I’d dealt with crime families before. They were ruthless and unforgiving. Abram Morosov’s thirst for blood wasn’t him acting out of character. I’d expect as much after his alignment with the Antonov family was ruined. Shit like that was more precious than human life.
So there wasn’t a goddamn thing I could do other than pay the debt and sacrifice myself to spare my brother’s life. I couldn’t live with myself if I let them get Conrad. The guilt would torture me. Eat away at my soul. I’d be no good to anyone, least of all Simone.
Simone…I wanted to do something special for her. I wasn’t a romantic guy. But I wanted to be for her. I had no idea where to begin, so I enlisted Tessa. After she laughed her ass off on the phone last night, claiming she’d known I was in love with Simone all along, she agreed to help me.
Since I didn’t feel it was safe to take Simone out in public, Tessa said she could create a romantic setting here, Saturday night. Apparently, she needed a few days to get everything together. I basically gave Tessa total control and permission to involve Lily since she was one of Simone’s closest friends.
“I can feel you watching me. It’s kind of creepy.”
I smiled, brushing the hair away from her face. “You’re a captivating sight.”
Her eyes fluttered, then opened. “So are you.”
“Nah, I’m just a normal guy.”
“You’re so wrong. There isn’t a single normal thing about you.” She rubbed her cheek on my chest, like a kitten. It freakin’ melted me.
“I hope that’s good.”
She lifted her head, smiling. “You’re perfect.” She ran her hand over my morning wood. “This is exceptional.” She rubbed the tip of my cock with her finger.
An electric bolt shot down my spine. I’d never hadthiswith a woman before. Only one-night stands after Jennie died. Before she passed, I was too arrogant and cocky to be tender with her. I thought it would make me look weak, but now I knew better. Tenderness came naturally when in love. You didall the thingsfor the person who meant the most to you.
I wanted to doall the thingsfor Simone.
“Wow. My cock has never been called exceptional before.”
“That’s a shame.” She threw her leg over my stomach and straddled me. “I don’t want to talk about last night. Just so you know.”
“Okay.” I took her face in my hands and pulled her toward me.
“Just handle it.”
“I’m handling it.” I kissed her soft lips, relishing the flutters in my heart, the warmth in my chest. This woman meant the world to me. My fucking heart was slowly cracking, and come next Friday, it would completely shatter into billions of tiny shards. I didn’t want to feel pain or sadness, but it was hard as hell not to after finally getting what I’d wanted for so long.
Simone rocked on my cock and saved me from giving way to my dark thoughts.
“After we fuck, I’m going to want a big breakfast.”
“Me too.”
She hiked an eyebrow as she removed her T-shirt. “Do you cook?”
“A little. You?” I cupped her breasts and teased her nipples with my thumbs.
She sighed, closing her eyes. “Not really.” She ground into my cock. “I’m an expert at ordering takeout though.”
“I know you are.”
She grinned. “Really?” She wiggled out of her bottoms and tugged my boxers off. “What else do you know about me?”
Should I be truthful? After watching her for nearly a year, I’d learned a lot about her daily habits. It was why I had fallen in love with her just from observing her. Maybe I should keep it to myself.