Assumption

“Shit, this is going to be a lot of paperwork,” Officer Ford grumbles, shaking his head.

“She pushed her way into my house and attacked my woman. If she presses charges, I will do the same,” Kenton says only loud enough for me and Ford to hear. “I will pay for the damage to her car, but I want her gone and to understand that, if she comes back, I will no longer be nice about keeping her away.”

I don’t know what he means by that, but it doesn’t sound good. Officer Ford nods and walks over to where Cassie and the other officer are talking. I watch as he says something to Cassie. Her eyes narrow before getting big, and she turns her head to glare at us.

“Go wait inside with my aunt and mom, baby, while I take care of this,” Kenton says, and I wonder if he saw the look Cassie just shot at both of us.

“I’m sorry about this,” I tell him. “Maybe I should find somewhere els—”

“You even think about running out on me now and I swear to Christ I will blister your ass,” he says, cutting me off.

“Your family,” I say softly, reminding him that we’re not the only ones he needs to worry about.

“My family is safe and so are you.”

I don’t know if that’s true, but I do feel safer with him than I would anywhere else. Plus, I have a feeling that, if I did leave, he would do exactly as he threatened. What I don’t understand is why that thought alone has a dull ache beginning to throb between my legs.

“She’s agreed to not press charges if you agree to pay for the damage to her car,” Officer Ford says, walking back up to us.

I look over at Cassie and then at the car. I have some money saved up and can afford to have it fixed. I don’t want Kenton paying for the damage when this was all my fault to begin with.

“I’ll pay for it,” I tell Ford.

“You’re not paying,” Kenton says, shaking his head. I narrow my eyes and try to step away from him so I can fully have it out with him. “She’s my ex. If she hadn’t shown up, this wouldn’t have happened.” Well, he has a point, but if I hadn’t thrown the bed over the balcony into her car, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. “Go wait inside with my mom and aunt while I get this sorted,” he says again, his arms releasing me.

His tone and bossy attitude have me wanting to punch him in the stomach. My hands ball into fists at my sides, and his eyes drop to them before meeting mine again as a smirk appears on his face.

“You gonna hit me?”

I shrug then look at Officer Ford. “Would you arrest me?”

He smiles and shakes his head. I look back over at Kenton and grin.

“Jesus, you’re cute when you’re pissed,” he says, catching me off guard. Something about that statement only serves to make me madder. “Now, stop f**king around and go wait inside.”

Without thinking, I kick him in the shin, turn around, and run as fast as I can up the stairs and onto the porch—right into his mom.

Crap.

“Child, I’m starting to wonder if you need anger management,” Nancy says, grabbing my hand, pulling me inside the house, and closing the door behind us.

“I’m not normally like this,” I mumble, lowering my head when I see Viv smile.

“I don’t know what is going on with you and my son, but you’re good for him. He needs someone to put him in his place and keep him on his toes. His life is so serious and revolves around people listening to him and doing exactly what he says when he says it. I don’t know about you, but that would get old.” She shakes her head, smiling.

I don’t want to get their hopes up about Kenton and me, so I decide to change the subject and avoid the topic, even though I have a feeling that I’m not going to be able to avoid it much longer.

“So, what brings you guys to the neighborhood?” I ask casually, leaning back on my heels. I bite my lip when Viv starts to laugh, looking over at Nancy.

“Well, Kenton called and said you needed company.”

A light bulb goes off in my head and I know exactly what happened. He thought I was going to run off, so he sent for backup. The door opens and Kenton walks in. I’m surprised by the smile that lights up his face when our eyes meet.

“Tow truck’s on the way,” he says, walking towards me. I look around, trying to find an escape route. He looks at his mom and gives her a grin. “Can you start some coffee while I talk to Autumn?” he asks her.

She looks at me and her eyes sparkle when I start shaking my head at her. “Sure, honey,” she tells him, turning towards the kitchen. “Viv, let’s go make coffee,” Nancy says with a smile.

Viv’s eyes come to me and she smiles, shaking her head.

“No!” I semi shout. “You should really spend some time with your son. I can totally make the coffee,” I tell them, starting to head towards the kitchen. I feel myself being tugged back by the hem of my shirt. When I look over my shoulder at Kenton, I glare.

“We need to talk,” he informs me.

“We’ll be in the kitchen,” Nancy says, Viv following close behind her.

I close my eyes, letting my head drop forward.

“Thanks, Mom,” Kenton says as I turn around to face him and my shirt twists around my stomach. His eyes drop to my mouth and he takes a step towards me. I try to take a step back, but his hand, which is still wrapped around my shirt, prevents me from going far. “You kicked me,” he says quietly, his mouth brushing mine, leaving me paralyzed.

“Sorry,” I say, getting lost in his eyes.

“Are you really sorry?”

“No,” I whisper, watching his eyes grow dark.

“I didn’t think so.” His tongue touches my bottom lip, making me gasp as his teeth give my bottom lip a punishing nip and tug. My hands lift to his hair, pulling it at the roots, as his hands slide down my sides and over my ass, where he gives me a squeeze.

The feeling of his hands on me has me jumping up without thinking and wrapping my legs around his waist. He groans, pulling my hips tighter against him. My back hits the wall and I whimper. His mouth leaves mine and travels to my ear, nipping it before his lips make their way down my neck, licking and biting along the way. When his mouth comes back to mine, my hips grind against him, trying to get some friction.

“Coffee’s ready—oh! Crap. Sorry,” I hear Viv say.

My eyes open, my teeth release his bottom lip, and I look over his shoulder, seeing Viv heading back into the kitchen.