Page 61 of Guarded from Sabotage

Dante enters me, sinking deep, filling me in a way I never felt before. Joined like this, it feels like I’m finally complete. Like we’re two puzzle pieces that found their perfect match.

As we move faster, our movements grow frenzied. Uneven. Desperate. Sounds come out of me that I would have been embarrassed to make before. Not with Dante, though. He loves it when I show how much I want him. And I’m never ashamed to let him know.

There’s a ball of energy and heat inside me, coiling in my belly, ready to explode.

Dante drapes my legs over his shoulders, tilting my hips so he can go even deeper, bottoming out with each stroke. The tendons in his neck are tensed as he holds himself back, waiting for my completion.

And then, as he uses his fingers to rub at my exposed and swollen bud, he pumps into me one more time, and I’m done. A firework with the fuse lit, I erupt into a burst of stars. My vision blurs. My muscles go tight. My inner walls convulse around him.

That’s all it takes to set Dante off, too. And I love it, especially now that we’ve switched to birth control, feeling his heat deep inside me, a primal sort of claiming.

Maybe one day, we’ll do it for real.

As we both come back down to Earth, Dante gathers me in his arms and presses a soft kiss to the top of my head. “I love you,” he murmurs, his breath feathering across my hair. “So much.”

“I loveyou.” I kiss his jaw, feeling his stubble brush against my lips. “I love waking up next to you. And I love waking up likethis.”

“Oh, Sarah.” He strokes my hair. “Me too.” There’s a long pause before he adds, “Are you sure you’re going to be okay if Ileave today? I talked to Matt, and he said he’d take my place if it’s not a good time.”

A weight settles on my chest. I knew it was coming; Dante finally leaving for a security job, and I was really fortunate that he could put it off this long. The team has been really busy, what with taking on a new pro-bono case and several jobs lined up over the next few weeks. Dante arranged it so he could stay back at headquarters while I got moved in and settled, but it’s not fair to expect his teammates to take all the jobs just because I want him here.

Anyway, he’s only going to be gone for three days, and he’ll be in Austin, which isn’t even that far away. I can handle that. I’ve already made plans with Jade to go shopping and have a movie night, plus I have a few interviews set up, and there’s more than enough at B and A to keep me busy. It’ll befine.

“It’s okay,” I reassure him. “Don’t worry. It’s only three days. I’ll be fine.”

“Still.” Dante sighs. “If you have nightmares… I want you to call me. It doesn’t matter what time.”

“I will.” Or not. Dante’s going to be working full days helping train a CEO’s security team. I’d rather not call him at three A.M. just because I can’t get back to sleep.

“Sarah…” Dante rolls over, still holding me, and gives me a gently stern look. “I can tell what you’re thinking. You don’t want to wake me up. But Iwantyou to. Please.”

“Okay,” I concede. “But I may not have any nightmares. They’ve been getting better.”

He doesn’t look convinced, but wisely lets it go. “Matt and Xavier are leaving tomorrow for that job in Houston, but Niall will be here the entire time I’m gone. So if there’s anything you need… And I’m just in Austin. So, if?—”

“Dante. It’s okay.” Smiling, I kiss his cheek. “We’ve gone over everything. It’s going to be fine.”

His brows draw together, forming tiny lines between them. I think he’s having a harder time leaving than me. “So, today—you have an interview, right?”

“Yes. And then one tomorrow, and another the day after. This one is for a youth advocacy program in Seguin. It’s a newer program, but it sounds really promising. I would be working with at-risk teens, helping them get services, working with their families…”

“That sounds great.” Dante’s lips curve into a smile. “Sounds right up your alley.”

“Yeah. So, I hope that goes well. Now that Matt got my social media all cleaned up, I’m hoping I shouldn’t have too hard a time finding a new job. Plus, my old boss did agree to be a reference. I think she feels bad about everything.”

“She should.” His arm tightens around me. “I’m glad you’re not going back there.”

“Me too.” It’s true. Not just because my old office is in San Antonio, and I’d rather work closer to B and A, but because of the bad memories that come with it. “But I’m meeting with my old coworker, Raya. She’s been texting about getting together. So we’re going to have lunch at one, and my interview is at three.”

After a long pause, Dante says slowly, “I don’t want you to take this as me not trusting you. But after everything… I’ll be honest. I’m having a hard time leaving you. So… will you just do a few things for me? Please?”

“Of course I will.” How could I say no when he looks at me with that vulnerable, pleading expression?

On an exhale, he says, “Take my new car, okay? Matt has it all set; it’s completely safe. Text me when you get to the restaurant and interview. And make sure you’re wearing those earrings, the ones with the trackers in them. I promise I won’t ask you to do it every time I go out of town, but just this time…”

I don’t hesitate. “I’ll do all of it.” After everything Dante has done for me, this is the least I can do to make him feel better. And it’ll make me feel safer, too. With a little smile, I add, “I’ll text you so much you’ll get tired of it.”

“Not possible, beautiful.” Dante frames my face with his hands and brushes a soft kiss across my lips. “I’ll never get tired of hearing from you.”

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