Page 129 of Bound Lies

He chuckles softly, and his body shakes against me.

I turn my face just enough to glimpse him. “I mean it. The last few weeks have been a mess, but…I don’t regret a second of it.”

His hand tightens around me as he kisses the sensitive skin beneath my ear.

“But I will try to be more honest about how I’m feeling, even when I’m scared,” I whisper.

“If you promise to do that, I’ll promise to rein it in.” His voice is barely above a whisper. “The overprotectiveness. I know I go too far, but it’s just…when it comes to you, I can’t seem to think straight.”

“I guess it will be a bit of a learning curve for both of us.”

“It sure will be, Princess.”

“I hate when you call me that,” I pout. “It makes me feel like a damsel in distress, which I’m not.”

Kieran’s lips twitch as he looks down at me, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“What should I call you instead?”

“Riley. Because that’s my name.”

Kieran laughs again.

I roll my eyes. “Why do you need a nickname?”

“Because everyone gets to call you Riley. I want to call you something that reminds us both that you’re mine.”

“So possessive.” Yet, my stomach still does a little flip.

I can’t deny I secretly enjoy how possessive Kieran can be. It makes me want to know how far he would go to keep me all to himself. “Is wife not enough?”

He wrinkles his nose. “Too generic. What about I call you my little dove?”

He kisses along my jaw.

“You want to nickname me after a bird?” My chin drops, and Kieran laughs.

“Doves are symbols of peace and purity.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “They’re also highly adaptable and strong, which are all qualities that you both share.”

My cheeks heat at the subtle compliment.

“But I’m not pure anymore. You’ve defiled me.”

Kieran throws his head back and laughs, and I take a moment to admire the strong column of his neck, reaching out to run my fingers along it.

“I have no regrets.” His eyes dance. “And I still stand by my suggestion.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine. I guess you can call me that… But what do I get to call you in return?”

“I’m sure you can come up with a few ideas.” Kieran rolls on top of me and kisses me deeply.

Chapter Thirty

KIERAN

The first thing I register is the heat of Riley’s body curled against mine. Her auburn hair is fanned out on the pillow, and her arm is thrown over my chest.

It’s the first time we’ve woken up like this since the night after Vegas. No interruptions, no chaos, just the two of us.