Page 101 of Stay with Me

I wait for my flight response to kick in, but it never comes. Knight’s safety wins out over my need to preserve mine. A crooked agent who’s trying to take his life is enough to push me to do all I can to help Knight.

In truth, it’s my love for this man that grounds me and gives me a determination I wouldn’t have had a few months ago. Fear tries to grab a hold of me, but his touch forces it back.

“Thank you, babe,” he says before he kisses my lips again.

“I’ll do whatever I can. I l— I’d like to help.”

I cut off the words I was about to say. I don’t think I’ve found that much courage tonight. It’s as if speaking those words will turn this all on its head.

However, his eyes light up as if he knows what I was about to say. Not ready to dive into that, I pull the sheets back up around me and start to move from the bed. I head for the bathroom as fast as I can to place some distance between us.

I get as far as the bathroom door before Knight is hot on my heels. His heat engulfs me as he presses to my back and maneuvers me to the wall beside the en suite’s entrance.

“Don’t run from me,” he says in my ear.

Tugging a handful of hair in his hand and pressing into me, he allows his erection to poke me in the back. With his free hand, he pulls the sheet from my body and tosses it to the floor. I feel bare to him in a way that’s more than skin deep.

“Knight,” I whisper his name.

“Don’t move,” he orders, releasing me.

I shiver, but I obey the command. He disappears somewhere behind me. A few moments go past before music fills the room, “Say You Love Me” by Jessie Ware. I’ve heard this song before, but it has a deeper meaning here and now.

He returns to place his hands on my hips. The slow glide of his palms up my sides raises goosebumps. I bite my lip and close my eyes as the words speak to my soul. The lyrics speak of not wanting to fall in love with someone not willing to try. Knight couldn’t have picked a better song.

“Stay with me, Rem. Tell me how I get you to stay.”

His words come out in a heavy rasp. I know him too well. He’s not asking me to stay. He’s asking me to finish the words.

He takes a pause waiting for an answer I can’t give. When the reply doesn’t come from my lips, he grasps a hold of my hair again and tugs my head back. He knees my legs apart and the next thing I know, he guides himself into me.

“Knight,” I cry out.

He wraps his other hand around my throat in a tight hold. Everything about his actions is possessive and claiming. He nails me to the wall as if that will loosen the words from my mouth.

His heavy panting mixes with my cries and pleas. “Tell me,” he demands into my ear.

I gasp but the words won’t pass my lips. I don’t know who I’m more afraid to admit them to, him or me. He continues to thrust into me, stirring emotions and feelings I don’t know what to do with.

“I won’t run.”

It’s the best I can do. I can’t make a promise or declaration beyond that. He buries his face in my neck and stills. Wrapping his arms around me, he holds me tight.

“I’m not the man you let go of last time. This time is different, Rem. I’m not going anywhere. Nothing can take me from you. Trust me.”

He links his fingers with mine and starts to slowly rock into me again. My eyes roll into the back of my head. An ache I can’t explain starts in my heart.

It fills me to the brim as he pushes his way into my body and takes me to new heights. When he latches onto the sensitive skin on my neck, my belly caves and I tighten my hold on his fingers.

I start to quake and squeeze around him. He groans and kisses the side of my face. Not able to hold back a second more, I come all over him.

“Baby steps,” he whispers and nuzzles my neck.

Yeah, baby steps. If I can survive getting him out of this mess, then … maybe then I’ll be ready to say the words.

CHAPTER 39

Small Treasures

---