Torn by A.F. Crowell Page B

cook
dinner.”
    “How about just the tip?”
    I burst out laughing. “Get the hell out of
here.” Using the knife, I pointed to the hall.
    “Fine, but first, what’s for dinner?” He
started looking around the kitchen as he stole a slice of the
pepper I had just finished chopping up before he came in to
tantalize me.
    “Hey, get. We’re having beef stir-fry with
Pad Thai noodles.” I swatted his hand as he tried to grab another
piece of green pepper from the cutting board.
    He grabbed my hand and pulled me to him.
Immediately everything I told him was out the window. I forgot the
restrictions placed upon him and that I was probably burning
dinner. Instead, I lost myself in his jade green eyes. They
mesmerized and entranced me. Capturing my lips, he dipped his
tongue in my mouth then slid his hand around the back of my neck,
deepening the kiss. His tongue swirled and caressed, and on cue, my
lioness perked up, clearly interested in the pursuit. But I pulled
back and planted my hand firmly on his chest.
    “Why’d ya stop?” he growled.
    “I’m cooking dinner. You’re not going to
distract me. Go sit down.” I spun toward the counter, trying not to
let him see his effect on me.
    “Fine.” He practically stomped away like a
toddler, pouting the whole way, lip stuck out and all.
    When we sat down to dinner at the breakfast
bar, I decided now was as good a time as any to have the discussion.
    “So we should probably talk,” I said,
broaching the subject gingerly.
    “Right, we should. Where do you wanna
start?”
    “I’ve told Brody I haven’t changed my mind,
you and I are still together.” Raising my brow, I continued, “Even
though things got really messed up and you fucked up royally.” He
dipped his head. “I need to know that you’re done running every
time Brody comes around. Brody is always gonna be in our lives,
Jaxon. I need to know that if you have a problem you’re going to
talk to me.” I placed my fork on the plate and turned to look at
him. “I need to know that you’re here with me and never leaving.
That you won’t do that ever again…because I don’t know if I can
forgive that again. I understand that this whole thing started over
a misunderstanding. We both have to do a better job of
communicating and not assume things.”
    “I agree, we need to talk to each other and
give each other a chance to explain before flippin’ the fuck out
and runnin’ away”
    “You also have to promise no more whores
hanging all over you. I can’t take that.”
    “Fine, but same goes for Brody. You have to
make him understand that you’re fuckin’ mine and he needs to back
the fuck off. He’s more than welcome to buy stuff for the baby, but
not for you. That’s my job, not his.” Jaxon’s chest puffed out like
a Neanderthal.
    “Fine, he’s agreeable to sitting down and
discussing everything. He just wants to make up for what he
did.”
    “Don’t defend him.” He dropped his fork and
shoved his plate forward.
    “I’m not,” I said flatly. “I’m explaining why
he does the things he does. It’s out of guilt.”
    “Bullshit. It’s because he wants you
back.”
    “I’m not arguing with you about this, Jaxon.”
Getting down from the barstool, I cleared our dishes to the sink. I
leaned against the counter, watching as my man tried to cover
holding his side. Macho idiot. GSWs hurt. “Can we just agree that
we need to do a better job talking to each other, and running
things past each other first before we do them?”
    “Deal.” He stood and walked over to me.
“Leave the dishes, let’s go to bed.”
    “Jax…” I started to admonish him but he
stopped me by snaking his sexy tattooed arms around my back and
pulling me close.
    “Lei, we are gettin’ in bed and I’m gonna
hold you and talk to our daughter. That’s all I wanna do right now.
I haven’t gotten to hold you in months.” He leaned forward and
kissed me quickly before turning and pulling me out of