Read Online Stefan (The Marquette Family Book Three) by Tressie Lockwood - Free Book Online Page B

even pull that shit. Why did you come back here, and what did you hit him for? You and I are just lovers, and that’s all. I told you—”
    “I know. It’s a piece of paper that we share. You’re right, Licia, but I take that paper seriously. I want to know if you’ve been sleeping with him behind my back.”
    “No, I haven’t.” She spun away. He was tempted to drag her back to face him, but his side burned. Damn, the woman was strong.
    “Then what was going on tonight? He seemed to think he had a right to touch you.”
    “He smacked my butt. It’s nothing football players haven’t done a million times.”
    “You’re not playing ball, and this isn’t a field,” he snapped.
    She faced him. “Why would you believe me? Nothing I say will make a difference.”
    “Try me.”
    For a few moments, she said nothing. He almost thought she would ignore him and let him think what he wanted to, but he refused to leave without an explanation. If that meant he had to keep her from rearranging his internal organs with her punch so be it.
    She sighed and walked to the dining room to flop onto a chair. “He asked if he could stay the night.”
    Stefan ground his teeth.
    “Not like that. He had an argument with the ho he brought to his house. The police were called, some drama, and she got to stay, but he had to go. They said something about she’d have trouble finding a place to sleep with the baby, but he would be fine for one night. So he came to me.”
    “You’re home early.”
    “I drove him over here. The ho apparently busted his windshield too.” She rubbed a hand over her face.
    “Licia.” He moved to stand in front of her. Desire came over him to touch her. No matter what she told him that bastard who wanted Talicia, and Stefan told her so.
    “I know, all right?” She stood and wrapped her arms around his waist. “The reason I looked crazy when you came in was because the fool had just tried to come onto me. I was about to beat him down, but you knocked.”
    Stefan rubbed his side. “I wish you had hit him rather than me.”
    “I thought you were going to attack me.”
    “I never have.”
    “Yeah, but experiences die hard.”
    He raised her chin, taking in her small build, wide eyes, and soft vulnerable mouth. “Has someone hurt you?”
    “Too many to count.”
    He stiffened, but she patted his chest.
    “Easy, Stefan. Not lately. If anyone tried, I wouldn’t have stopped with one hit like I did with you. I would have put him in the hospital. Unfortunately, I can’t do that with my partner, but he would have felt pain tonight thinking he could grab on me.”
    Stefan ran a hand over her ass and squeezed. “I don’t want another man touching you or smacking your butt.”
    She smirked. “I know.”
    “Licia.”
    “I hear you, Stefan. Don’t worry. I don’t have any interest in anyone else.”
    “And.” He hesitated. If he started dictating her actions, she’d be liable to do the opposite just to prove her independence. Yet, he couldn’t stop himself from voicing his concern. The memory of that asshole’s dick tenting his pants drove Stefan insane. “I don’t want him to stay here, not even for a night.”
    “I know.” She laughed at his expression and patted his chest again. “He won’t stay ever. I learned my lesson. It gave the fool ideas, but he was drunk. I doubt he’ll look at me like that tomorrow when he’s sober. Either way, he should have enough money to stay in a hotel if the skank didn’t spend it all.”
    “Thank you.” He drew her closer and kissed her lips. “About that punch…”
    “I’m sorry. I know you’re not the type to hit, but I forgot for a minute. I was so mad because it was like I’d been caught doing something wrong. I’m not the one that was wrong. He was. Stefan, you’re my only lover, okay? That’s never been an issue with us.”
    He nodded. “I believe and trust you.”
    “That punch though. You knocked him out in one blow. He’s going