"Yeah, he touched me. That happens sometimes. We don't live in a bubble, honey."
I growl. "We should. Well, you should. I should blow up one of those giant clear bubbles, and put you inside. And only I have the key."
I don't get another slap, it's more of a poke to my chest. A hard, jabby poke right in my left pec. She pulls her hand away and shakes it, glaring at me like it's my fault she hurt her finger. "Really? Now is when you chose to make jokes? I was perfectly fine, Kingsley. I was taking care of myself against him. When areyou going to realize, I don't always need you to swoop in and save me. I have been fine on my own for a long time. I don't need you putting yourself in this positions for me. Not now. Not ever."
I fling the water bottles onto the floor and reach around her waist pulling her into my lap, ignoring the searing pain shooting up my arm. She's right. The adrenaline is wearing off. And the fury haze is thinning too. And I'm going to have to deal with the aftermath of my losing control. But not just yet.
"Luna. Sweetheart. Are you done talking? Is it my turn to talk for once?"
She rolls her eyes but nods.
"Good. So now it's your turn to listen. He touched you. That's not ever going to happen again, do you hear me? Not him. Not any other man. Ever again. Repeat after me."
Her eyes widen, as she drapes her arms around my neck, and sits so she's straddling my hips.
"I belong to you, Kingsley," I say, without the tiniest waver of hesitation.
"I belong to Kingsley," she says, her voice soft, her eyelashes fluttering against her cheeks as I brush her hair from her face.
"And that means, he will always protect me."
"And that means, you will always protect me," she whispers. "I never had any doubt, Kingsley."
"Good. And promise me, you're not going to listen to any of the other things he said."
She hesitates. "Kingsley. Baxter Enterprises is very important to you. I understand that. I always have."
My forehead rests against hers. "I think I just proved to you how important Baxter is to me compared to you."
She closes her eyes, and her head falls, resting on my chest.
"I'm not ever going to let anyone hurt you. Least of all me, Moonshine. You just remember that, okay? Remember that for me."
Her head tilts in a single nod. "Okay."
"Good. That's all I ask of you. And to trust me. I know what I'm doing. Just like I'd never let anybody hurt you, I've spent my life protecting Baxter Enterprises. I'm not going to let it get in the wrong hands."
And so we sit.
Letting the promises turns from just words into an understanding that sinks bone deep between us.
"How's your hand feeling right now?" she asks, her voice soft after the silence.
"You don't want to know," I say, half wincing, half laughing.
"Like you want to cry?"
"Like a tiny, whiny, little bitch."
She throws her head back and laughs, pressing on the intercom. "Marcky? Can we have a few steaks in here?"
"Cooked blue as usual?"
"No. Actually raw. It's for His Highness's hand, not his mouth."
I lean forward. "Marcus. It's your actual boss here. Just an ice pack would do just fine, please. Oh, and Marcus?"
"Yes, sir?"
