Need Me - M. Malone Page 0,39

It takes a minute for my breathing to slow and for the ringing in my ears to subside.

But despite just screaming my head off, for the first time in ages, my soul feels calm.

While Vin takes a shower, I curl up in my bed completely content. Maybe it’s just the aftereffect of great sex but I’m feeling uncharacteristically emotional.

He said some pretty heavy things to me today. That he wanted to be here when I needed him. That he would give me his beating heart.

I’m not the kind of girl who needs flowery words or all that romantic bullshit but I would have to be made of ice not to be affected by him. Vin doesn’t pull any punches when he wants something. A fact that I admire while it also scares the hell out of me.

He’s decided I’m what he wants and the pressure to be worthy of that is immense. This man deserves every good thing.

I am still not sure that I am going to be good for him.

“This is starting to get a little rough on my ego. You seem to spend so much time around me falling asleep.”

At his words, I roll over to face him. His spectacular chest is on full display and all he’s wearing is a towel around his waist. I pulled on my nightshirt but the way his eyes roam my body makes me feel like I shouldn’t have bothered.

“I’m awake. Just thinking about everything.”

He pulls on his boxer briefs, then turns in a circle until he notices his pants on the other side of the room. “I’d hoped to take your mind off all that.”

I blatantly ogle his butt as he bends over and steps into his trousers. The man truly has a fine ass.

“You definitely did. I wouldn’t mind if you did it again.”

His fingers continue moving, buttoning up his shirt but his knowing eyes watch me as I struggle for words.

“I’m just saying, you could… stay. You don’t have to rush off.”

He leans down and brushes my hair off my forehead. “You aren’t ready for that, baby.”

When I go to protest, he kisses me.

“The first night I stay with you, I want it to be because you really want me here for good. Not because I just blew your mind in bed. I know I’m the best but that’s no basis for a relationship.”

It takes me a minute but when what he said sinks in, I hit him with a pillow.

“Blew my mind? Mister, I just blew your mind.” I whack him with the pillow again. “And your dick. Don’t forget that.”

He collapses on top of me, laughing uncontrollably. “I won’t be forgetting that anytime soon. Or ever. The sight of you looking up at me… Dio, now I’m getting hard again.”

Satisfied, I sit back. “My work here is done.”

“Ah, you really are evil woman. But I like you that way.”

My hand twists in the front of his shirt to stop him when he goes to turn away. “Don’t let this go to your head or anything but I’m really glad you were there today.”

“Me too.”

After a long, deep kiss that makes me want to yank him down for another round, he says goodbye and leaves, closing my bedroom door partially behind him. When I hear him start talking, I lean forward to hear. I can barely make out the words but it’s enough for me to realize he’s saying goodbye to the dog. My heart melts into a puddle of goo.

What am I going to do with this guy?

A few seconds later, the front door closes. I lean back into the pillows with a sigh. After a few minutes Oreo scratches at my partially open bedroom door until there’s enough room for her to come in. She hops up on the bed to curl at my feet.

“We like him, huh? He’s handsome and kind and has an ass that won’t quit. But I can’t get too deep with him yet. Not until I get my results back.”

Oreo gives a quick bark of agreement. Then she rolls over and splays her legs wide open.

“Yeah, tell me about it. He has the same effect on me.”

Grabbing another pillow, I shove it under my head trying to find a comfortable angle. I’m hit with a sudden wave of exhaustion. As I fall asleep, I can’t stop thinking that fatigue is one of the earliest signs of cancer.

16

The morning of my brother’s wedding dawns crisp and clear. I decide to bring Ari