Cash Money (Bad Money #4) by Ali Parker Page A

for a minute before answering. "Freedom. Freedom from the oppression of guilt, shame, love."
    "Oppression of love? Love binds you?" He kissed her again and ran his hands over her hips to cup her mound. "Love or pleasure?"
    "Both." She turned her face enough to enjoy the attention of his lips against hers.
    "What does this freedom look like, baby?" He moved up to suck the bottom of her earlobe into the warmth of his mouth.
    "I don't know," she responded breathily, unable to stop her heart from racing with his touch combined with their domesticated actions. "I've never felt it really."
    "Interesting." He kissed her neck once more. "And kids. Do you want kids?"
    "I can't have them, but yes, I think I would have liked to if it were possible." She pulled away from him, a little sensitive over the topic. The only man that might be okay with having a barren woman was Marcus. Maybe that was part of the draw toward him too. To already be enough even in the midst of her lack.
    "We can adopt." He moved back to the salad and loaded up two bowls. "We'll try for kids, and if you can't have them, then we adopt. It changes nothing. We'll love them until they’re sick of us either way."
    Tears blurred her vision. "Do you think that's possible? I've killed and stolen. I've been in the darkest alleys in the world doing things that I'd not utter in the light. Do you really think there is a future where all of that can honestly go away and never rise again to steal everything from me?"
    "Baby." He pulled her back from the stove and brushed away her tears. "That future is right around the corner. You have to stop expecting the worst and look for the chance at a new beginning."
    "I want to, but I'm honestly not sure how." She slid her hands up his chest and let out a soft sigh. "I'm ready for brighter days. The ones filled with laughter and fun. All of this darkness is starting to permeate the center of me again."
    "Then we get out. Marcus is the only anchor holding you in place, Kate. We'll get Billy, I promise, but you have to work on letting Marcus go. He loves this life." Jon kissed her forehead. "He'll always be in our lives, but he has to stop being your life, Katie."
    She nodded, understanding the decision all too clear. "I thought we were going to have fun tonight."
    He chuckled and wiped away the rest of her tears. "We are. No more of this shit. It belongs in another day, but not today."
    "Good. I'm tired of it. It's the same conversation I have over and over in my head nonstop lately." She pulled the package of noodles from the bag beside her and started to drop them into the pot.
    "Wait. Crazy girl. You gotta break them into thirds. Have you never worked at an Italian restaurant?" He moved up behind her, wrapping his arms around her and broke the noodles as she snuggled back against him.
    The simple things in life were what seemed to be missing. She'd never really had them, so to experience them was almost overwhelming though it felt trite.
    "I've never worked anywhere but the streets and the club." She let Jon finish the noodles as she stood trapped between him and the stove.
    "Really? I could tell you some stories then. Restaurants are the best. The guys are fun and outgoing, and the girls just wanna chance to see your dick. As a kid... it's awesome." He chuckled and kissed her cheek before moving back.
    "A chance to see your dick? Wow. Sounds like the best place on earth for a horny, unwanted young guy." She shrugged and gave him a cheeky grin.
    "Unwanted? What the fuck's that supposed to mean?" He reached over and pinched her side. "I was hella wanted. Once the girls figured out that I was hiding this beast?" He grabbed his cock and wagged his eyebrows.
    "Beast? I've seen a lot bigger." She glanced down at it, lying like a dog, but rather enjoying the growl that left him.
    "Oh no you didn't." He wrapped his arms around her and picked her up, hustling her to the darkness of the bedroom and dropping her on the bed only to lie down on