“It’s you who brings out that courage in me. It’s you who gives me that strength to face my future.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve got talent, beauty, stubbornness and heart. That’s more than a lot of people.” He tips his head toward mine. “You know, all you have to do is look at me, and I get lost in those pretty eyes of yours. They wash away everything bad, but you deserve better, Kami.”
I lay my head on his chest, and cling to him. “There’s no better place than right here. Just as long as I’m here in your arms, there’s nowhere else I want to be.”
He kisses the top of my head. “Sweetheart.”
“I thought I lost you today.” The words come out in a whisper.
He strokes my back. “I’m right here.”
“I was so afraid.” I lift my head and stare into his eyes. “You say I’m brave.”
“You are.”
“Then I need to be brave right now and tell you something.”
He frowns, and cups my face. “You can tell me anything, baby.”
“I love you, Saint. I’m in love with you.”
He smiles, and strokes my cheek with his thumb. “I think I’ve loved you since the day I saw you clutching that tree like you were never letting go. But you did. You let go, and you trusted me. That’s a powerful thing.”
“I trust you with everything. No one else will ever be to me what you are.”
“I’m nothing.”
“That’s not true. You, you’re everything.”
“Come here.” He cups the back of my neck and drags my mouth to his.
When he pulls back, he stares into my eyes. “I ask you to do something, will you do it?”
“Yes. Anything.”
“Stand up.”
I frown, but comply, worried that he’s going to tell me to go.
He lifts his chin. “Take off your clothes for me.”
My mouth parts slightly, but I do as he asks, stripping my shirt over my head, and shimmying out of my pants. When I’m down to my bra and panties, I hesitate, feeling a little self-conscience.
“Keep goin’, babe.” His dark eyes are heavy with desire as they sweep over me, lingering at my breasts, pushed up in the demi bra. I reach back and unhook it, then let it drop.
He sucks in a deep breath and then he lifts his chin, his eyes dropping to the scrap of lace keeping his eyes from what he longs for most.
I slip them down and step out of them. I’m completely naked now, and I stand there, letting him get his fill.
“Beautiful. Prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.” He lifts his hand. “C’mere, gorgeous.”
I go to him. “But you’re hurt. We can’t.”
“We can. You just need to climb on top and do all the work.” He’s already undoing his pants and pulling out his hard cock. I smile, and change plans, scooting down to wrap my hand around his throbbing length. Staring up in his eyes, I take him in my mouth.
“Fuck, yes,” he hisses, sinking his fingers into my hair and rocking up with his hips. He fucks my mouth and this time I don’t let him pull me off. “You want it baby? You gonna take every drop?” His voice is urgent and gravelly with desire.
I nod, and he comes in my mouth. Like I promised, I swallow it all.
His eyes are heavy as he stares at me, and then smiles that cute bad boy smile that wraps around my heart every time.
“Slide up here, pretty girl.”
I do, and he positions my knees on either side of his chest, then grabs my ass and pulls my pussy to his waiting mouth. I put my hands on the wall and throw my head back. His grip on me is tight, his strong arms keeping me pinned where he wants me, and he takes his time, ramping me up slowly, until I’m bucking against him.
“Oh, God, yes.” I pant.
His tongue is magic, and I can’t get enough, until my orgasm hits me fast and hard, and I slide over the edge into ecstasy.
He lightens his hold on me, and presses a kiss to my belly, and I melt down into his waiting arms. He positions me cuddled against his good side. I put my head on his chest and listen to his strong heartbeat. It reminds me again of how close I came to losing him today, and I press a kiss to his skin, and whisper, “I love you.”
He kisses the top of my head. “I love you, too, baby girl.”
I don’t reply, and I wait nervously for him to qualify it or for the dreaded but. When it doesn’t come, and he just strokes my back over and over, I relax, and we both seem content to just hold each other.
I fall asleep with his arms around me, feeling safer than I’ve ever felt.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Kami—
I throw a piece of popcorn at Saint, and laugh. We’re on his couch Monday evening, and watching a movie on TV. It’s good to finally be able to breathe easy again.
We raced back from Birmingham, and Saint made the bank deposit, filling in the missing money, and putting it in the night drop, so it was there when they opened at seven.
When we got back to his place, we were both exhausted physically and mentally, and collapsed on the couch. Then when the afternoon drug on, he got a text saying the MC probably won’t be back until Tuesday, so we’ve had an enjoyable day.
We ordered pizza and just hung out.
I’m on the phone with Mary Elizabeth, trying not to laugh as Saint flings popcorn back at me. We’re about to have an all out war.
“I’ve got to go. We’re about to watch Guardians of the Galaxy, which is apparently his favorite movie—like—ever.” I tease him and he throws a handful of popcorn at me. I click off the phone and point to the screen. “Oh, this is my favorite part when Chris Pratt dances!”
Saint gives me the side-eye, grinning, then gets up and starts dancing. He cranks the volume on the TV, and “Come and Get Your Love” blasts through the room. He’s really quite good, but I can’t help laughing. “Not bad, Ace.”
He cups his hand to his ear. “What? I can’t hear you?”
I throw a pillow at him, but he grabs my hand and yanks me up with him, pulling me in close and dancing the rest of the song with me.
When the music fades off we stare at each other, and he kisses me. The spell is broken when his phone vibrates in his pocket. We break apart, and he hits the volume on the remote, muting the television.
I sit back while he goes into the kitchen to take the call. The house is small, so I can still hear him.
“Yeah?” He paces. “What—over at Ruin’s?” He paces some more, then laughs. “Porn isn’t supposed to be that dangerous.” He huffs. “Okay, it’s not a joke. So, you want me to go break up a catfight, is that it? Seriously? Do I get paid extra for this?” He stops in the archway and leans against the frame, his eyes on me. I pretend to be checking my nails, but I strain to hear.
“Okay. I’ll leave now.” He hangs up and shoves his phone in his pocket. “I’ve got to go out for a minute.”
I look over at him, and something in his eyes tells me not to bother asking to tag along.
“Okay.”
He grabs his vest and heads out to his bike.
I don’t know what possesses me, but I shove my shoes on and grab my purse and the keys to his truck off the kitchen table. Then I wait for his bike to fire up and pull out.