Page 32 of Seeking Salvation

“Oh, you’re so fucked.”

“Meaning?”

“You like her.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Mitch pointed at him as he smiled. “That right there is how Autumn made me feel from the second I laid eyes on her.”

“It’s different.”

“Nope, it’s not but you carry on lying to yourself. It will just make it all the more fun to watch.”

“Whatever, asshole. I gotta go.” Titan punched his arm, feeling the sudden need to get back to Maya and Tyrique.

Mitch offered his hand and Titan clasped it tight.

“Be safe, brother, and I want to meet that boy of yours real soon.”

Titan nodded, hating the lump in his throat. He didn’t deserve his friend’s forgiveness but he’d take it and cherish it. “I’d like that too.”

The drive back to Longtown gave him time to think about Maya and why she’d demanded to be involved despite the danger, and he realised that she needed to see this through just like he had for Devon. Now he just needed to apologise and hope he hadn’t fucked it all up before anything even had the chance to start.

Walking through the doors to the Mountain Rescue, he checked every room for some sign of her and then checked his phone.

Watchdog: She’s in your room at the compound.

He quickened his step as he headed for the elevator that would take him underground into the world of secrets that was his life. That Bás had authorised her entry told how much he trusted her.

He passed Duchess with a wave as she went to speak to him, but he didn’t want to stop. “Later, Duchess.”

“Fine.”

He slowed when he reached his door, wanting to calm his racing heart before he headed inside. His apartment was sparse but clean and comfortable. It contained a small white kitchen with an open floor plan into the living area, light oak flooring, a dark green rug with a glass coffee table, and a jade green sofa in front of a huge TV, but there was no sign of Maya or Tyrique.

The silence though was different to when he was alone here. It was as if her presence in his space warmed him in some way. Scattered the empty corners with life. He headed for his bedroom and stopped short at the door, his breath hissing out of him as he paused on the threshold.

Maya lay on her side in the middle of his bed, her knees curled up, her arm around the sleeping child beside her. Her long lashes fanned her cheeks, her lips parted as she slept. Titan had never seen himself with a happy ever after. He’d never been destined to be the prince in his story or anyone else’s, just the villain, and yet, as he watched her, he craved it like a drug.

On silent feet he walked up to the bed and looked down at them, his son with his thumb in his mouth, his body relaxed as he slept on his back, Maya’s hand over his tummy. Maya was wildly beautiful, like the sea during a storm. She whimpered in her sleep, her brow furrowing, and he sat beside her, careful not to disturb her, but wanting to soothe her anguish.

His fingers traced her brow as if he wanted to iron out the frown. Her skin was like silk beneath his calloused fingers and he had the urge to press his lips against her cheek to see if it felt as soft on his lips.

Her eyes flashed open, dark and slumberous, and he froze, waiting for the barrage of her anger to hit him full force. His mother, God rest her soul, had always hit first and asked questions second. Maya didn’t. She watched him, a latent hunger in her eyes as her gaze fell to his lips and he felt his dick harden against his jeans.

Never in all his life had been so attracted to someone, and not just on a physical level. He wanted to sit and listen to her talk, to hear about her life, her hopes, her dreams. He felt ensnared in her gaze, the heat growing impossible beneath his skin. Mitch was right, he was fucked. But instead of wanting to run far and fast from the feeling, he had the overwhelming urge to run to her instead and let the flames burn. “I’m sorry, Maya.”

Her brown eyes softened, her lips hitching up slightly and he almost fell to his knees for her.

“I know and I’m sorry, too. I want us to find a way to make this whatever it is work between us, even if that’s just a cordial friendship, Ti. I need Tyrique to have security from those he loves. We’re all he has.”

“I want that, too.”

The truth was, he wanted way more than that, he wanted it all, but he didn’t say that. It was too soon, too new. He needed to make her see what they could have, how good he knew it could be, and she was still in fight or flight mode.

“Truce?” She held his gaze as she reached for his hand, linking her fingers with his and pulling him down with them. Titan lay on his side behind her, his body cocooning them both and wrapped them in his arms. A feeling of absolute peace fell over him as she snuggled back against him as if she wanted to sink into his body.

His arm tightened on her hip and her scent filled his nose, her satiny hair tickling his cheek. He wanted to offer her the world, but he didn’t. He’d take this as slow as she needed. He couldn’t have her thinking he only wanted her as a mother for his son.

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