Page 7 of After the Fall

I slowly peeled off the slip dress one strap at a time, letting it slip down to my waist. Wyatt moaned, his eyes heavy with desire as he gazed approvingly. I leaned in close until my lips stopped inches from his. “I want to remember it as the first of many nights like this.”

“The things you do to me, woman,” he growled. With one hand, he quickly flipped me onto my back, pinning me underneath him, as his lips met mine.

And then time slipped away, as we made a happier memory to end the day.

THREE

WYATT

Harper tossedand turned all night, even though we were sleeping in a ridiculously expensive bed. Hell, the fucking mattress cost more than one of our Range Rovers. In the predawn light, I propped myself up on my elbow and watched her eyelids flutter as she murmured in her sleep.

I didn’t have the heart to wake her. After a night of twisting in the sheets, she was finally getting some rest.

The gas fireplace cast enough of a glow in the room for me to get dressed without turning on a light. I pulled the comforter over Harper’s bare shoulder and kissed her on the cheek. Her lips turned up into a smile, but the slow deep breathing continued. I made a mental note to ask her about her dreams when I got back.

She was going to be pissed that I left without waking her, but I did it for two reasons. One, I wanted her to get some rest. But two, she would’ve wanted to come with us. And as much as she was getting better in the wilderness, her presence was still a hinderance.

Tank and Atticus were already in the kitchen with the coffee pot percolating on the burner.

“Morning.” I took a mug from the cupboard and set it next to the stove.

“Someone had a good night.” Tank pumped his eyebrows.

“Jesus Christ.” Atticus shook his head. “Leave the man alone. We’re not teenagers anymore.”

“Tell that to the guy who fucked all the picture frames off the wall in the east wing.”

Harper and I had made love twice last night and fucked once. I still didn’t let myself fully go when I was thrusting into her. She was strong, but I didn’t want to break her. She’d pushed me though, urging me with that sweet voice, whispering for me to give it to her harder.

“He was taking it easy on me.”

That sweet voice spoke from the hallway. Shit.

I turned, and there she was, wrapped in the Egyptian cotton sheet. “Were you going to leave without telling me?” Her eyes were wide.

“Give me a second, guys.” I stepped into the hallway, hoping to block their view of my girlfriend wrapped in nothing but a sheet. I knew they would never, ever step on my turf – especially not with a human, but I also didn’t need them getting an eyeful of her nipples pressing against the white sheet.

As I walked away, Tank made a whipping sound. “File your report with your boss, Wyatt,” he grumbled.

I froze.

“Tank.” Atticus stepped in and scolded him on my behalf. “Grow the fuck up.”

I pulled Harper out of earshot and wrapped the sheet over top of her shoulders, my palms running over the goosebumps that prickled her arms, texturing the sheet. “I didn’t want to wake you. We’ll be back soon.”

Her eyes searched mine. “Where are you going?”

Harper would know if I was lying to her. “Atticus and I are going for a run in the woods.”

“With crossbows?” Her voice quivered. I didn’t think she’d spotted the arsenal of weapons that was spread across the marble island next to the freshly baked muffins.

I rubbed her arms more intensely. “There’s a lot going on in the woods. We need to be prepared.”

“For what? To kill my dad?”

I glanced over my shoulder to ensure that Tank and Atticus were out of earshot. “I promise you that we won’t hurt your father. You have my word. I’ll die before any harm comes to anyone in your family. You’re my family now, so that makes… him part of it too.” I meant my words, but I still shuddered, thinking about the creature that was not quite human, and not quite us.

“You really promise?”

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