Page 97 of A Little Naughty

They’re bright and full of hope, but tonight, under the waning moon, I can’t relax. We carry our helmets to the porch, and I wait as he unlocks the door. Our mood is so shifted from when we left earlier. I mentally search for a way to bring us to that place again.

In the living room, he slides out of the tuxedo jacket and leaves it on the back of a chair. Next, he removes the white vest, shirt, and tie. He’s so handsome in the dim light with his muscles on display.

“Are your shoulders tense? Come sit, and I’ll give you a massage. Frangelica gave me some essential oil when I did her profile…”

But he doesn’t come to me.

He continues through the kitchen, going straight to the laundry room where I hear him open a cabinet. A minute later he returns wearing a long-sleeved black tee. He’s also carrying a leather bag that looks like a gun case.

It’s the same case he brought with him when we went hunting, and my stomach twists.

“Do you know how to use this?” He puts it on the table, turning the combination lock on the zipper. “I’m going to leave it with you in case Bill shows up here.”

He removes the sleek black weapon and checks the clip.

“Where are you going?” I watch as he turns it to the side.

“The safety is always on, but it disengages when you pull the trigger.” He passes the weapon to me, and when he puts it in my hand, it’s lighter than I expected.

My eyes are wide, and I carefully put it on the table. “I’ve never shot a gun.”

“Don’t be afraid to use it.” He walks to where I stand and puts his hands on my shoulders. “I have to run an errand, but I’ll be back before sunrise. I want you to stay here with the door locked, and if Bill comes here while I’m gone, text Aiden.”

“Why can’t I text you?” A dry ache is in my throat, and I don’t want to let him go. “Is this the thing your brother was talking about?”

His chin drops, and the muscle in his jaw moves. “It’s the last thing I have to do, but it’s going to be okay. I promise.”

“Can I go with you?”

“No.”

I step forward, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing my body tightly to his. “Raif… I’m afraid.”

His shoulders drop, and he wraps his arms around me. “I never want you to be afraid.” His voice cracks. “Do you want to go to Monay’s?”

“I want you to stay here with me.” My body trembles, and he holds me tighter.

He presses his forehead against my neck, and for a moment, we’re locked in an embrace so warm and so desperate. His breath is labored, and I’m fighting tears. Darkness seems to grow around us, but here, where we’re holding each other, it’s light and safety. If only I could convince him to keep holding onto me.

With a groan his arms loosen, and he takes a step back. “I have to go.”

“No…” It’s the faintest, broken whisper.

He catches my chin in his fingers. “Look at me, Princess.”

“I’m not a princess.”

“I’ll be back in two hours. Don’t be afraid. Go to sleep, and tomorrow, everything will be different. It’ll be the start of something brand new for us. Okay?”

Blinking up at him, I want to believe him. He leans down to press his warm lips to mine. He opens my mouth with his and slides his tongue inside. With a whimper, I try to hold his shirt. I curl my fingers and try to be stronger than his need to leave me.

But he pulls away, and I know I’m not.

“Lock this door behind me.”

It’s the last thing he says before disappearing into the night.

CHAPTER26

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