Page 89 of Craving Sin

Threaten him and threaten me. That’s the biggest message I want those around me to take away from seeing me with him.

“Sorry. Just thinking. You have my full attention now.”

“That’s all I really want.”

Fuuuuck. This man. He’s going to get me hard right here in the middle of the restaurant. Hearing him say shit like that goes two places—straight to my dick and to that organ in my chest that had been sleeping before he came into my life.

“Mr. O’Shea,” I hear and immediately stiffen, but I don’t let my hand move to my gun. Torin is in the corner watching as I look up to see the owner of the restaurant. “I just want to thank you for coming in. It’s neutral ground here and—”

“Torin goes nowhere,” I say. Finan is outside watching too.

“Yes, sir. That’s fine. I just wanted to make sure you know we take our position in the community seriously, and we’re so glad you could be here with us tonight.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that. This is my partner, Doctor Abbott. Where I’m accepted, he is good.”

“Yes, sir. Of course,” he says to me before giving his attention to Abbott. “It’s nice to meet you, Doctor Abbott.”

Abbott’s gaze is shooting back and forth between Truman and me, like he’s not sure what’s happening. “Um…it’s nice to meet you, as well.”

They shake, and a moment later, Truman walks away, Abbott’s brows raised at me. “Does this kind of thing always happen?”

“Yes. It’s a sign of respect, that they want to stay on our good side.”

“Neutral ground?” he asks next.

“There are places in the city that are considered safe—that rivals won’t hit. Technically, we shouldn’t need Torin and Fin here tonight, but I wasn’t taking any chances with you.”

He opens his mouth, closes it, then opens it again. “Thank you, Rian.”

Reaching over, I cup his face. “I’ll always protect you, pretty thing.”

His flush makes me want to bend him over the table and fuck him right here, but I’m good and don’t.

We have a really nice dinner together. I don’t hide who Abbott is to me. A lot of important people come to Truman’s, so I don’t hold back any looks or touches, making sure the staff and anyone else here tonight knows that Abbott is mine…and if you come after him, you’re coming after me, and we all know who will come out on top.

We’re interrupted more than once, someone approaching to pay their respects or to say they heard I’d been shot and they’re glad I’m okay. There are businessmen who try to make business connections as well, but I usher them away. Tonight is about Abbott and me.

“Do you know when you’re going back to work?” I ask halfway through our meal. I’m hoping this discussion doesn’t start another argument for the night because I don’t want him to go back until I’ve killed whoever tried to murder him and the person who set it up.

“No. I’ve spent so much of my life needing to be Doctor Abbott to be worth something, and now I’m just trying to figure out how it fits into my life without making it my whole identity.”

“You are so much more than that,” I tell him. “But what you’ve accomplished is pretty fucking incredible too. You save lives, pretty thing. Both our hands have seen death, only you’re trying to prevent it, while I deliver it.”

“Yes.” He shrugs. “Maybe that’s true, but death weighs on us both the same. It’s not easy watching someone die, regardless. It takes something from you. I’ll be there to fill you back up if you’ll be there for me too.”

And he would—he would be there for me in that, and it’s a fucking gift. “I want to fuck you on this table right now.” It’s not the first time tonight I’ve thought about it.

Abbott winks playfully. “Maybe when we get home.”

“Oh, I think that’s a guarantee.”

“I hope so.” Abbott shoots me a smile. “Anyway…when it comes to my job, I’m not saying I don’t want to do it anymore. I just want more.”

“You have more,” I tell him. “You can have whatever the fuck you want.”

He reaches over, covering my hand with his. “I have it…even if you do have a temper.”

“I had a feeling you were still mad at me about Torin. I can’t change that about myself—not with you.” I’m a jealous and possessive motherfucker. Always have been and always will be.