Page 59 of Fractured Memories

Eden dips her head to kiss down my neck, and it takes everything in me not to lose myself in the feeling of her mouth on my skin. But fuck, it’s hard. All I want is her.

But I also wanted to talk about something with her. An idea I’ve been toying with for the last week—one that might solve multiple problems for me.

Her teeth rake over my throat, and my fingers dig into her skin. I’m already so fucking hard, but I fight to keep a level head. “Eden.”

“Hmm?” Her fingers slide into my hair, tugging so that she can tilt my head and kiss lower.

“Fuck, mo chuisle.” That’s it. I can talk to her after.

But her head pops up, looking adorably confused. There’s still a teasing smile on her lips when she asks, “What did you say?”

I blink, the fog of lust breaking enough for it to hit me. I didn’t even realize what slipped past my lips until right now.

Not knowing what else to say, I answer, “Mo chuisle. It’s a…term of endearment.”

I’m not willing to tell her what it means, not exactly. It’s been so long since I’ve even heard it that I’m surprised it came out.

Lochlan’s father called his wife that. I know a few Irish phrases, but for the most part, we don’t use the language. Terms of endearment even less. But Lochlan’s parents were deeply in love—which is why his mother couldn’t live after her husband died.

I didn’t realize that their relationship was the one that I had started to think about until that nickname came out. But it makes sense. I don’t hate Eden like my parents hated each other, and Rohan’s mom died when we were so young we barely remember her.

But Lochlan’s… If love still exists in this shitty city, they found it. And maybe, I’m starting to compare what I feel for Eden to what I saw between them.

Her fingers trail along my jaw, shaking me out of that train of thought. “I never thought you were the kind of guy to call a girl a pretty nickname.”

I spin us, pushing her against the pool wall. “You’ve made me a lot of things I never thought I’d be.” I push a wet strand of dark hair out of her face. “Which leads me to something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.”

Her head tilts to the side as she keeps playing with the hair at the nape of my neck. Gently, this time. “What is it?”

“I promised Rohan that I would stay out of the cages,” I admit, something I’ve been keeping from her. Her eyebrows rise, but I push on. “I was thinking that maybe it would be better if we both did.”

At that, Eden’s eyes narrow. I’d expect no less from her. She doesn’t exactly do well with anyone telling her what to do, but I can’t keep my word to Rohan if I keep seeing other men try to kill my girl. I only have so much self-control.

“If you think I’m going to be some kind of woman that you can tuck away for my protection⁠—“

My laugh cuts her off, and now she’s seething. I don’t mean to make it worse, but I’m certain that I was about to be threatened. In fact, if I don’t speak fast enough, my life might be in jeopardy.

“I would never,” I tell her, trying not to look too entertained. “But Rohan is going to kill us both if I don’t keep off the mat.”

She’s still glaring at me. “I don’t see what that has to do with me.”

“I have a job for you.”

“Kieran.” Her nails dig into my scalp, but she seems to forget I’m into the pain. “Explain faster.”

“You are impressive to watch, and I’d rather have you training my guards than killing useless fighters for money.” I lean forward, unable to keep from touching her anymore. I trail my lips up her throat until I’m brushing the shell of her ear. “You’d like it more, and I’d stop wanting to kill every guy that gets to touch you.”

“I always kill them in the end.” She tilts her head, encouraging me to keep going. “If I’m training your guards, I won’t get my hands bloody.”

“You could kill the people that are pissing me off. Would that suffice?” I nip at the spot below her ear.

She hums. “I’ll consider it.”

“Can I convince you?” I roll my hips against her, knowing how to tease her until she’s begging. My girl might be fierce, but I love seeing her break only for me.

“Maybe.”

I move down her neck, brushing my lips against her collarbone. “It pays more.”