Page 27 of The Hitman's Secret Love Child

Heaving a heavy sigh, I looked up the stairs and began making my way up. It was a lot of fucking stairs. She murmured something incoherent as we reached the top of the staircase and shifted in my arms, tightening her grasp on me, burrowing her face against the crook of my neck and shoulder. The warmth of her breath as she gently exhaled sent a shiver through me and caused my dick to spring to life.

Well, damn. The last thing I wanted to do was let my feelings and desires get in the way, clouding my judgment. I was already too close for comfort for her and Austin’s safety. But what could I do? It was easy to say that it should be kept impersonal, but how much more personal can it get if it includes your very own flesh and blood and the one and only woman you’ve ever loved?

Pushing the bedroom door open with my hip, I carried her to the bed and gently laid her onto it. As I attempted to straighten, instead of her grasp loosening on me, it became even more ironclad, her fingers fisting my t-shirt and keeping secure to her.

Okay, so I had two options: wake her and have her release me or bite the bullet and lie down with her.

I chose option 1. I had to keep an emotional distance.

“Robyn,” I said, not too loud as not to startle her as I began to pull up again.

“No, no!” she cried out, gripping tighter to me, as she thrashed on the bed, an expression of distress on her face. “Please. Stop!”

Immediately, I slipped onto the bed and pulled her against me, stroking her hair and whispering words of comfort into her ear.

Almost instantly she settled down and once again murmuring incoherently. But it appeared that whatever bad dream had had her in its grasp was done and over with. She felt so soft against me and her gentle snores were beginning to lull me to sleep.

Yes, I should be leaving right now. I should be waking her up and leaving – this wasn’t the type of situation I needed to be in. But, how could I? Even in her sleep she needed me and if my presence next to her was going to give her a full night’s sleep then how could I turn away?

Besides, deep down, I didn’t want to. Don’t get me wrong, I get my fair share of pussy, though the women I fucked were just that, playmates – relationships were never on my radar. This, however was different. It was familiar and pure. Despite my dick’s hardened state, this wasn’t a sexual thing.

What would it hurt to just hold her?

---