Page 82 of Roaming Holiday

“You’re leaving?”

“I—was only contracted to be your security until or if you went public.”

She grimaces. “Just like that.”

“What am I supposed to do?” I regret the words immediately; I’m still pulling myself away from the thought of kissing her exposed skin.

“Maybe tell me!” Nina looks away as tears threaten to fall. The sight snaps me into reality. “I thought we had more time,” she says, voice cracking. “I thought you wanted more time, I thought?—”

“Nina—”

“No,” she insists. “At least tell me why it’s so easy for you to walk away from this.”

Easy.

The simple word sets my chest on fire. I’ve stared down the barrel of a gun enough times to feel comfortable, yet keeping my hands off Nina this summer has been the bane of my existence.

“Easy?” I echo. “None of this has been fucking easy. You think I wanted to watch another man put his hands all over you this summer? Whisper in your ear? Flirt with you?”

Nina opens her mouth, struggling to gather the words. She doesn’t know the torment.

“Being your security is the first ethical job I’ve had in years so what the hell am I supposed to do when the one person who makes me want to be a better man becomes the same thing that stops me? I am clawing my way to being a good person, one who doesn’t fall for his client and respects boundaries but you—you control me. You own my every thought, my every fucking desire. I can’t breathe without knowing you’re safe or happy.” I let out a breath, lowering onto the edge of the bed and looking up at her. “You own all of me, angel. Each goddamn part.”

Nina pushes off the dresser and kneels before me, taking my face in her hands. “I may not have known you then, but I know you now. The man in front of me is good and kind and so thoughtful it hurts. I’ve learned more about myself and my family in the last few months than I have my whole life. I worry about everything and my mind is in constant chaos. The only place I know peace is anywhere I’m with you… and it kills me that you think I’m keeping you from being a good person. You are one.”

I smother a defeated sigh, leaning into her hand and muttering, “Because of you.”

“It’s not something earned or given. You’re only seeing more of who you already are. And I want you, Wesley. All of you.”

I’m in love with this woman—more than I thought I could. A relationship outside that door might not be possible, but she’s right in front of me, willing, wanting. I close the small distance, covering her lips with mine. The tender kiss quickly turns needy and I pull her onto my lap. My groin stiffens at the feel of her straddling me. Nina suddenly shoves me onto my back, a smirk tugging at her lips. I know what she’s thinking—because I’m thinking it, too.

Finally.

41

NINA

I freeze, troubled at the sight.

Is Wesley’s bare torso sculpted like an ancient god? Yes. But it’s also covered with scars. Almost a dozen are scattered over his ribcage, chest, and shoulders. My fingers brush the ridges of healed wounds, heartache threatening to overtake me at what he went through to get these.

He notices my hesitation. When he reaches to tilt up my chin, I stop him. I lower and press my lips to the long scar beginning at his sternum, planting kisses until it ends above his navel. He shivers.

“Come here,” Wesley says, flipping us over and pinning my wrists above my head. He slams his lips onto mine and I arch into him, my final thread of resistance snapping. I wrap my legs around his waist and kiss him hard enough to make up for each lingering moment and longing glance. My belly churns with lust when his teeth clamp around my bottom lip.

“You have no fucking idea how long I’ve wanted this—to have you underneath me.”

It’s my turn to shiver as he traces my waistband lightly, dipping under to grab my bare hip. “No panties?” He groans. “You really know how to bring a man to his knees.”

I hold back a smile. “It doesn’t look like you’re on your knees to me.”

He chuckles. “Have some patience.”

I squeal when he suddenly yanks me closer to the bottom of the bed by my hips. I watch him peel my clothes off piece by piece, my skin sizzling every time he touches me. There’s no agony quite like longing for Wesley. He’s the personified version of my passion and lust.

He drinks in the sight of me bare in front of him, and I feel myself getting wetter at the hunger in his eyes. Starting at my ankle, he slowly kisses up my body, speaking between each one.

“I have thought?—”

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