Page 46 of It Destroys Me

“Nothing,” Scarlett said quickly. “The pizza will be ready in ten minutes.”

“Why do you assume I’m here for the pizza?” He walked around the kitchen and approached her, effortlessly holding their daughter like she wasn’t even there.

“Because I know you.” She grabbed her glass and took a drink.

He came close and grabbed her ass right in front of me. “Maybe I came to see my baby.”

“Right…” She tried to pull away.

He tugged her in close and forced a hard kiss on her mouth.

She didn’t fight that. She even leaned into it.

He pulled away, a smirk on his lips. “So, ten minutes? Because I see four pizzas right there.”

She rolled her eyes. “I knew it.”

“Theo wanted me to ask.”

“He did not.”

“He’s full of shit, Scarlett.” Theo came into the room like a shadow from the passing sun. Even if he hadn’t said a word, I would have noticed his energy right away. Like a black panther that stalked its prey, he sauntered into the room.

“Oh, I know he is.” Her timer went off, so she grabbed the oven mitts again and removed the new batch of pizzas.

Theo came to my side and looked at my glass of wine before he looked at me.

I felt that thrill when our eyes locked, felt that tension in all my muscles…including my heart.

He took the glass and helped himself to a drink.

When Scarlett’s back was turned, Axel walked over to the pizzas on the counter and grabbed a slice. He took a bite, closed his eyes, and savored it. “Shit’s so good.”

Scarlett turned around and shot him dead with her eyes. “Can you wait two seconds?”

“Nope.” He took another bite and finished it off.

“And stop cussing around the kids.”

“She can barely lift her head, baby. You think she’s gonna know I said shit?”

“Theo.” Scarlett turned to him beside me. “You have my blessing to punch my husband in the face.”

Theo smirked and took another drink of the wine.

“I’m gonna put the little one down,” Axel said. “I think she’s out.” He carried his daughter out of the room and left the three of us alone together.

Scarlett sliced up the pizzas on the stove.

Theo turned his gaze back to me and stared.

It felt like we were alone together, not in the presence of Scarlett as she finished making dinner. “Why did you come?”

“Does it bother you that I’m here?”

“No, of course not,” I said quickly. “I love it when you’re around.” It was another case of word vomit, when I spoke my mind a little too freely.

It didn’t seem to bother him. “I think it’s best if I keep you close.”