Chapter 36

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Lara

My body continues to pulse around his, both of us trying to gulp in more air.

"I want to tell you about my family. The one I had before the Cromwells," Michael whispers.

His hand runs the length of my damp back. Being so close, I feel his heart rate pick up. His chest twitches slightly as I run my finger over a small, thick silver scar.

He might be a strong man, but talking about his past kills him.

I push up, pulling my chest away from his, giving him the space he needs. My eyes find his. The blue is hypnotic and disarming, but his pain is clear to see.

"I know," I whisper back.

Michael frowns. "You know? "

I nod. "Helen told me."

Michael tenses under me. "Not all of it," I rush. "I was so worried with you in jail and us here. Charlie said that Daniel was there, so you'd be fine. I didn't understand why they had so much faith in him."

"Now you do," he finishes.

I nod. "She wasn't trying to interfere or gossip."

"Shh," he soothes, "and get back here." He sighs, pulling me back down.

Burrowing my nose into his neck, I breathe him in. My chest presses against him so tightly, we're practically one. Michael hums beneath me. The tips of his fingers run over my ribs, his skin just a whisper against mine. My heart swells, and my core pulses with fresh arousal.

Michael raises a brow and chuckles, feeling my body's response.

His cock hardens inside me.

"Are they alive? Your biological parents?" I whisper, keeping my face in his neck, hiding from the answer.

"No."

"Did you kill them?" I ask.

They'd deserve it, just like Darrell, I remind myself. Who hurts a small child like that?

Michael stays silent so long, I think he's not going to answer.

"No," he finally admits.

Daniel.

I close my eyes and bite my lip at the thought of what two small children must have been through to turn them into literal killers.

Torture. I'm glad they're dead. Just like I'm glad Darrell is dead.

Michael gives me a minute, more than willing to lie here in silence.

Sniffling, I wipe my nose.

"I don't mind the name Daniel."

His hand stills on my back.

"Think your brother would mind if we had a Daniel Cromwell II?"

Michael's chest stutters under me. "No," he chokes out, "I don't think he'll mind at all."

Unprepared, I grunt when Michael sits us up, gasping when the angle of his shaft changes.

Gripping my ass, he hauls me up with him, never removing his body from mine.

"Where are we going?" I moan, my mouth dropping at the feel of how deep he goes when we stand connected.

"We have a deal," he reminds me. "I have until morning for my little guys to make a little guy. Let's see what they can do."

Without another word, Michael starts to walk. As we near the front of the house, one of his hands comes up to cover my eyes.

I don't fight or ask why. Whatever it is, I'm sure I don't want to see.

Laughter sounds nearby. Kaleb.

Michael's lips touch mine, clearing my mind. His lips brush mine as he promises, "I'm going to spend the rest of tonight and every night after claiming you."

My body flares at his words.

Our lips tussle as we enter the house.

Excitement runs through me.

Even now, walking up the stairs with him buried deep inside my body, this man has no idea how much he owns me.

My mind.

My heart.

My soul.