Free Mirepoix (A Recipe Of Love Book 1) by Paige Conners Page B

lying and being manipulative.
    “I demoted her back to running drinks and clearing tables. She obviously can’t be trusted after this. She had no idea who you are and didn’t care how it might hurt me or the restaurant if she snubbed you like she did. I also don’t want her to think she can get away with hurting you without consequence.” His thumbs rub my cheeks at the end trying to comfort me it seems. I know I shouldn’t be happy she got demoted but what can I say, I’m petty. It makes me happy imagining her clearing tables. It also makes me feel warm and fuzzy that he was willing to go that far to make sure I’m emotionally taken care of.
    That thought has me freezing, the way he’s acting and the things he’s saying made me forget him mentioning Anthony. I realize Anthony clearly told him my side of the story and I wonder what else Anthony told him. Anthony has appointed himself my big brother since I was 10 years old and moved in with Grams. He takes being over protective to a whole new level, he has no qualms about warning off people that he thinks are a risk to me emotionally. I can’t say I blame the guy with everything I’ve put him and Lindsay through over the years. I can feel tears pooling in my eyes but I just stare at Joe praying I’m wrong.
    “He told you?” My voice is shaky with emotion. I’m practically holding my breath right now to keep myself from crying.
    “Yes he told me. He loves you so much he wanted to make sure I would be able to take care of you the way you need. I needed to know how to avoid hurting you again. When he told me that you were hurt because of me even indirectly it made me realize how much you’ve come to mean to me. I was pissed and wanted to destroy whatever caused you pain and wrap you up in cotton locked in a tower so nothing and no one could hurt you again. Please don’t be mad at him baby.” He wraps his arms around me completely surrounding me in his warmth and his strength. I rub my face slightly on his chest. I want to burrow into him and feel safe and protected and whole.
    “You still want me even knowing how broken I am?” I whisper while I map his chest with my fingertips. He pulls back and captures my face in his magnificent hands again.
    “You’re not broken, baby. You’re magnificent. We all have our own issues, and baggage we bring with us. You still have a happy life with great friends that love you, despite everything you’ve gone through and deal with it hasn’t turned you into a bitter angry selfish person. You’re like this perfect double rainbow, rare and beautiful and able to make me feel special for being able to see it. I want to keep you in a tower and keep your magic pure and untainted by people who don’t deserve to feel the warmth of your personality.”
    As soon as he’s done shaking me with how he thinks of me his long fingers are tangling in my hair, tilting my head to receive his kiss. His lips are strong and firm against mine as he sips from them. Dragging his tongue across the seam, he demands entrance. I part my lips and he immediately dives in tangling his tongue with mine in an erotic caress that shoots straight through my body like a sip of bubbling champagne. I distantly feel my hair tumble from its knot shrouding us. He pulls back from the kiss and I instinctively follow him wanting more. He makes my body feel alive in a way I haven’t felt before. I need more of his intoxicating taste that makes me forget everything we were talking about. I let out a small moan when he holds me slightly away from him as we both struggle for breath. I never knew a simple kiss like this could rock my world.
    “Soon, Pixie. First, we need to figure out how we’re going to make this work. I refuse to cause you a second of pain if I can help it.”
    Without warning his hands leave my hair and go to my thighs lifting me from the counter with ease.  I wrap my arms around his neck and glory in his strength as he carries me to the couch