Page 74 of Taken In Trade
She was there, then she wasn’t.
My biological father, Daniel, had a heart attack a few months later…
And he was gone too.
Julian was never the warm and fuzzy type. He just got significantly worse after my mom and Daniel were gone.
I stretch back against the leather love seat, wondering if the gummy is ever going to kick in. I’m not sure I feel much of anything.
Magnum meets my eyes as he comes over, bending down until our faces are close together. “How ya doing, princess?”
“I’m okay. I was just thinking about my mom,” I say before I can stop myself.
“She passed away?”
“Yeah.”
He puts himself on the cushion next to me, rather than sitting on the fully open other side of the love seat. “That’s rough.”
I nod as he tosses his arm around my shoulder.
Lemon and honey.
Damn, I love the way Mag smells.
Turning into him, I rest my head on his chest. “What’s your real name? I doubt it’s Magnum. Unless…” I snort. “Shit. Sorry. Don’t tell me your parents actually?—”
“Dylan McCarthy,” he says, laughing.
“Dylan, huh?” I peek at him, running my hand over his T-shirt. “It’s cute. Do you want me to call you that?”
He scoffs. “God no.”
“Okay, good. I’m not sure it fits you.”
“Not at all. So, what’s the deal? You seem down in the dumps since Moretti slunk away to handle whatever shady business he had to take care of.”
“I’m good,” I fib. “I don’t think that gummy did shit, though. I much prefer the light buzz that comes from a glass of wine.”
“All right, get up. We’re going to dance. I can’t have you slipping into the sads. That’s almost as bad as having your high ruined by paranoia.”
I snort. “The sads?”
“Up with you, woman.”
Magnum is an excellent dancer. His arm rests against my lower back, and his hand teases down my ass cheek. Music vibrates up to us from the lower level. It’s upbeat and easy to move to.
I stay as close to his front as possible, sucking down deep hits of his scent. There’s something about Magnum that makes me feel light. It’s hard to explain, but he always manages to cheer me up.
It’s addictive.
He spins me toward the half wall that looks out over the club and slides up behind me. He sweeps my hair away from my face and neck, tucking it over my shoulder as he grinds against my backside.
“Having fun yet, princess?” His stubble scratches against my cheek as he kisses his way down, licking and sucking on my neck. I never knew that was such an erogenous area.
“Mmm, yep.” My nipples tighten, and I shiver as I shove my ass against his jeans.
My entire body feels lighter and strangely floaty.
