Page 120 of Look, Don't Touch

Hailey has draped herself over the whole of the sofa, snuggled under the cover. I go to her and stare down at the beauty and heart I don’t deserve.

My insides quiver.

I could lose her tonight.

I’ll do just about anything to make sure that doesn’t happen, but this, this I cannot change, and I can’t keep it hidden from her any longer. I mean, technically, I could.

Only three people know about it.

Including me.

One wouldn’t betray my trust for anything in the world.

The other one is dead.

“Head up.” I motion for her to lean forward. She does, and I sit propped in the corner of the sofa. I pull Hailey into my arms.

My siren tucks the blanket around my legs and curls into my chest, nuzzling her face against my neck.

I hold her tight and drag in a deep breath, filling my lungs with her scent.

“You spoil me.”

“For as long as you’ll let me.” I kiss her forehead.

“What if that’s a long time?”

“Suits me perfectly.” My fingers brush back the hair from her face and study her features. Features that, for so long, were a mirage to me, an abstract idea that gave me a goal, that morphed into hope.

“What if it’s a long, long time?”

“Even better.” I trace her face with my fingertips.

“You know all my dirty secrets, now. All my bloody skeletons.” Her brow hikes. “So what’s this supposed secret I’m keeping?”

“You’ve been letting me fuck you too hard and too often.”

Her jaw falls, creating the perfect O for my cock. It twitches in my pants, but I ignore it.

“Have not.”

It’s my turn to hike a brow.

“Nat.” She scolds. “That double agent.”

“Siren, why didn’t you tell me?”

She wraps her arms around me and pulls me close, almost frantically so. Her fingers grip my shirt and skin as though I’m trying to get away. I’m not. I never will.

I’m quiet while I let her collect her thoughts. Eventually, she eases back.

“I love being close to you. As close as I can get.” She shrugs. “And that’s you inside me.” Her lips do a little dance. “That’s most all of it. I didn’t want to stop that, even if it was getting to be slightly uncomfortable.”

My lips map a line across her cheeks. “You are as close to me as anyone can get. Even when you’re not with me, you’re in me, and I’m in you. There’s no need to make ourselves raw.”

“I’m not used to frequent sex.” She grimaces.

“Me either, Hailey. I’ve been putting special ointment on my cock every morning after you leave to keep the soreness at bay.”

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