“Ditching my detail last night got me punished.”
“Oh, my gosh.” She couldn’t even imagine the kind of violence that would cause bruising like this to stay on his face so long. “But you have shifter healing. Why isn’t it getting better?”
Kong laughed and shook his head. “Woman, you should’ve seen me this morning. I look fucking awesome compared to when I got home.”
“But I saw you fight last night. You’re a beast in the ring. How could Rhett have done this?”
“It was Rhett and Kirk, and I let them.”
“Why?” she yelled. “Why would you let them hurt you like this?”
“Layla, it’s okay.” He twitched away from her fingertips and slipped his sunglasses back on. “They had to send pictures to Fiona to prove I was punished enough.”
“How does Fiona know? You were only gone, what? An hour, maybe two?”
“Because Rhett is a rat prick who calls her anytime I step out of line. It’s his job.” His smile had turned to a grimace now. “Speaking of, I’m supposed to be getting gas before I start work at the mill. They’ll get suspicious if I’m gone for too long. Is your car still at the old barn?”
“Yeah. I’m going to get a ride out there tonight to pick it up.”
“Don’t bother. Hand me the keys, and I’ll get it to you.”
“But what if your guards find out?”
“Let me worry about them.”
“Okay,” she said on a breath as she dug around her satchel. She handed him the jingling key ring and pushed on the door handle, but turned back. “In case this is the last time I get to see you, can I…”
A slow, wicked smile spread across his lips. “Can you what?”
“Since you already technically broke your contract last night, I was wondering—”
Kong leaned forward and crashed his lips onto hers, halting her words. A helpless noise wrenched from her lips as she pulled him closer. This man was good and decent. He took care of his family and put others above himself. He’d stayed away from her for three years for her own protection, but now she was in this. Lost in the flood of longing to be in his arms, feeling safe like she had last night. She gave no fucks about that contract he’d been beaten and threatened into signing. And she definitely didn’t care about tainting his seed. Kong was hers. Meant for her, fitting perfectly here up against her.
She brushed her tongue against his, and a soft rumble rattled up his chest, sending delicious shivers up her spine. This kiss wasn’t the sweet first kiss they’d shared last night. This one was primal and full of need because she might never see him again. Might never talk to him again. Out there, in the real world, there was a cinder block wall in between them, but here, in the dark tint of his car, they were okay. She could touch him, smell him, love him, and no one would know. No one could hurt them here.
She ripped off his sunglasses and ran her hands under the thin fabric of his shirt just to feel the hard ridges of his abs again. His hands were getting rougher by the instant as he shoved his fingers up the back of her shirt and unsnapped her bra. She gasped as his warm hand slid up her stomach and cupped her breast hard.
Kong’s touch gentled immediately, and he dragged his palm out from under her shirt. He stared at his hand with a baffled expression, as if he didn’t know how they’d gotten this far. He exhaled a shaky breath, shook his head hard and murmured, “I think I’d better go.”
Layla’s blood was on fire and her breathing erratic. “Three strokes, Kong.”
His blazing green eyes lifted to her. “What?”
“You could’ve had me in three strokes.” She shoved open the door and fumbled with the shoulder strap of her satchel. “I want to burn that fucking contract, just so you know.” She yanked the bag of Mac’s breakfast out of the seat. “I finally found a man I want, who I feel safe with, and I can’t even kiss him without feeling guilty, and over what? Because I’m tainting you for other women? It’s not fair.” Okay, her voice was a little shrill, and she was rushing her words, but dang it all, after all these years, she was finally with Kong, and it was like hot and cold water being dumped on her head over and over. “And furthermore,” she growled, leaning into the car, “when I think about you with those other woman you are about to start serial fucking, I want to punch everything. You don’t belong with them! They aren’t your destiny, Kong. I am.” She slammed the door and stomped off toward the back entrance of Tender Care without looking back. Oh, she wanted to, but she wouldn’t. She was out of this game.