As our kiss intensified, I felt more confident that she was releasing her fears. Especially when she whispered in my ear, “Show me that you want me, Kellan. Take me home.”

She didn’t need to ask twice. Putting the car in drive, I had us flying down the road mere seconds later. When we got to her empty apartment, we didn’t waste any time getting to her room and getting undressed. It was almost like Kiera needed to be reminded just how much she meant to me. Candy must have really gotten to her. I hated that she had, hated that Kiera would ever doubt my loyalty. But…the way we’d come together…it wasn’t all that shocking. I had similar fears at times.

Afterwards, when I had ravished her with as much physical attention as I possibly could, Kiera got ready for work. She seemed better, completely at peace again, but the image of her pain-filled eyes wouldn’t leave me. Would we ever truly get past what we’d done to each other? Or would there always be tender scars, waiting to rip open at a moment’s notice?

Considering the multiple scars I carried on a daily basis, I was pretty sure I already knew the answer to that question.

When it was time, I drove Kiera to Pete’s. Kate was working tonight and greeted us at the door. “Hi, guys!”

Kiera greeted her coworker, then started pulling away from me, like she was leaving me. At the last possible second, I grabbed her waist, pulling her back to my side. “I’ll have my usual,” I murmured in her ear.

She shuddered under my touch but gave me an annoyed look. “I know what you like, Kellan.”

Our recent lovemaking flashed through my mind, and I couldn’t contain my smile. Wishing we had time to explore each other again, I slipped my hand into her back pocket. “Yes…you certainly do.”

She flushed with color when she realized how suggestive her comment was. Then she pushed me away. “You’re so adorable,” I said, after kissing her cheek. “Have I mentioned how much that turns me on?”

With a laugh, she responded, “What doesn’t, Kellan?” That was certainly true. With Kiera, at least. Everything about her ignited my blood, my soul.

Knowing Kiera needed to get ready for work, I shrugged at her question, then headed to my usual table near the stage. A group of girls from a nearby table watched me sit down, but they didn’t seem inclined to try and join me. I was grateful that they were content watching from a distance. Kiera seemed much happier now than when I’d picked her up from school, but I had to believe she was still a little uneasy. I didn’t want her to have to deal with forward woman fawning over me right now. Not after Candy’s…accusation.