“Fucking assholes.”
Keenan couldn’t agree more. “We mostly lived on the streets. She sought help and protection from many people, especially if we encountered trouble with other demons, but they always turned her—us—away. Being a stray demon is shit, Khloé. There are so many dangers out there, and you have no protection at all. If my mother had been given help, maybe she wouldn’t have been assaulted and killed by a group of twisted male demons.”
Khloé gasped, her face a mask of compassion. “And you feel that turning away Thea and Lane would make you as bad as the people who turned their backs on you and your mother.”
“Yeah,” he replied, relieved that she got it.
“I think you’re right; I think Thea was counting on that. Manipulative bitch.”
“She isn’t a bad person, Khloé, she just—”
“Oh, I disagree. I’m sorry if she had a bad childhood. I can’t even imagine how hard life at Ramsbrook must have been for you guys. Every one of you is strong for surviving it. But having issues doesn’t give a person the right to trample over others. She knew you had issues too, and she didn’t let that stop her from playing you again and again.
“Maybe she wanted to mean the spiel she fed you, but she didn’t mean it. And she shouldn’t have made promises to you if she couldn’t be sure she’d keep them. Hell, she didn’t even have the decency to tell you when she was leaving—she’d just up and go. If she was really a good person, she’d have had more respect for you than to do that shit over and over. God, I feel like slapping her.”
Keenan felt his mouth twitch, touched by her vigorous defense of him. “It’s not a thing anymore, Khloé. I’m over it.”
“Yeah? Well maybe she’s not so sure you’re over her, because why else would she turn up at your apartment, expecting entry?”
He frowned. “I’ve given her no reason to think I’m not done with her.”
“Except not object to her seeking sanctuary from your lair. She might be thinking it means you still care for her.”
“I only care if you think that, because it couldn’t be further from the truth. I was looking out for the boy, not her. You believe that, right? You understand?”
“Hearing about your childhood, yes, I understand. And if you say she’s not who you want, I believe you.”
Keenan hummed. “Good.” He dragged his fingertips down the sides of her breasts and bit her lower lip. “Because the only woman I want is sitting right here, exactly where she’s supposed to be. So, can we move on from this topic or do you have more questions?”
“No more questions. I appreciate you telling me all that. Trusting me with it. I won’t repeat a word of it. Not to anyone.”
He pressed a kiss to her mouth. “I know you won’t.” His imp was reckless, impulsive, and crazy at times, but she was also loyal to the bone, and her word was gold. “Now that we’ve got all that out of the way, are you ready to get to the good stuff?”
“The good stuff?”
“Yes. All this talking is interfering with my plans.”
“Hmm, what plans?”
He nuzzled her neck. “Plans that involve you naked and coming hard for me.”
Khloé almost shivered. Damn if her hormones didn’t do a mighty cheer. It was a little surprising her libido woke up, given they’d just been discussing some heavy stuff. But then, she had no actual defenses against the epitome of seduction, did she? That was what he was.
He was also hurting—she could see it clear as day. Talking about all that crap had taken its toll on him. She wanted to make him forget it, wanted to help him shake it all off.
Leaning into him, she said, “I’m totally game, just in case there was any doubt.”
“There was no doubt.”
“Cocky bastard.”
His mouth, so hot and hungry, took hers. It was like every cell in her body ignited. Need—so hot and raw and primal—fired through her. She kissed him back, just as greedy. The growl that rattled his chest vibrated with power and a dark dominance.
The kiss went on and on and on, turning her brain into pudding. Gripping her jaw to hold her still, he slanted his head and sank his tongue deeper into her mouth. He kissed her hard, stealing her breath. The feel of his blunt nails scraping her scalp made her groan. She liked the little sting.
She tore her lips from his, gasping for breath. With a snarl, he grabbed her nape and took her mouth back; fucked it with his tongue until she was a pile of melted goo.
Needing more of him, she snaked her hands under his tee and smoothed them up his chest, exploring all that hard, male muscle; feeling the power that purred beneath his skin and seemed to reach for her.