Page 65 of Sovereign Oaths

As if any of us needed the reminder that our lives were not our own.

The energy of the apartment changed the moment she stepped inside.

A shift without her saying a word. I didn’t turn. Didn’t need to see her to let go of the weight I’d been carrying through the days since we’d last seen each other.

“Marco.” Her voice was a balm.

I turned away from the counter, lowering my phone and taking her in. Her beauty was hard to believe, no matter how many times my mind filled with visions of her.

Her golden skin, glossy raven hair, and hickory eyes glinting with mischief.

Even windswept from the boat ride, she was stunning.

“I missed you.” The words slipped before I could stop them, not that I would have. I wanted her to know.

Her full lips curved. “I missed you more.”

I patted Derek’s shoulder as he passed with their bags. He grunted and headed straight for his bedroom.

I moved to her, wrapping my arms around her back, holding her close. I pulled back just enough to capture her chin and tilt it back to claim her lips. She kissed me back gently once.

“Where are––”

“Shh.” I spun us, pressing her back to the wall and pinning her hips with my hands as my lips crashed against hers. This was all we needed to focus on. At least for a few minutes.

She relaxed and slipped her hands around my neck, her fingers wrapping around my hair and tugging gently. Her mouth opened, inviting, and I stroked my tongue along hers. I wanted––craved––more of her.

It had been too long.

Years.

A lifetime.

There would never be enough.

She moaned, thrusting her hips against mine.

A throat cleared, and I growled as I dropped my forehead against hers. “Go away.”

“Don’t be greedy.” Javi smirked when I turned and gave him the finger.

Em hurried to him, and he caught her by the waist, spinning her around before sliding his hands up her body as he brought them together.

Watching them kiss as passionately as we just had probably should have made me jealous. It would destroy a lesser man, but I was too relieved to have her back with our family for petty emotions.

“Did I hear the door?” Cruz called as he came out of the office with headphones around his neck. He froze as Javi and Em broke apart. “There’s my girl.”

She laughed and cocked a brow. “Your girl? I’m not sure where I should even start with that statement.”

“Oh, shut it.” He smirked. “I know you missed me most.”

She hummed but didn’t argue.

Cruz shot me a glare. “Someone could have told me she was back.”

“And give up precious seconds with her?” I scoffed. “Not our fault you couldn’t sense her.”

“I did, actually. I was just the only one working and had to finish a call.”

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