Page 89 of Gilded Saint

“You’re so beautiful.” His soft words are full of adulation.

He rises over me and I reach for him. My fingers tangle in his short silky strands. His arm muscles flex and veins protrude from the strain of holding himself high. I tug him down, wanting his mouth on mine. My thighs spread, welcoming him, needing him. I’m a heartbeat away from pleading.

When he sinks into me, my hold on his back tightens. His movements are slow and reverent. The pressure on my core as he stretches me, fills me, and rocks against me, re-awakens my sensitized self, and all too soon, I once again come apart. He cups my cheek, holding me in place, dark eyes boring into me as he too falls. As he pulses deep within me, I strain to hold him as tightly as possible. His head falls to the crook of my neck and I press my lips repeatedly along the side of his face and over his crown. There’s no other word for it, no other description, than making love. We’ve had each other in so many ways, against the shower wall, on a floor, an exploration of sinful positions, but missionary has never felt more perfect or right.

Chapter30

Leo, aka Saint, aka Sam

The sun has yet to rise, but my skin crawls as if it’s the morning of a mission. Willow sleeps naked, cuddled into my side. I should enjoy the moment, but I can’t. Energy courses through my veins with the fury of springtime rapids.

Saint. He didn’t stumble upon my code name. He heard it. But from whom? Where?

I slip out of bed, careful not to wake my slumbering bride.

Exercise. I need a good run to clear my thoughts and work through my fears.

Dressed, I pause to take in her sleeping form. She’ll need a new home. One that’s not so high in the sky but is secure. Is there time to train her? Fuck. I should’ve been working with her since day one. But how would she have received that? Yes, you married me, and now I’m going to teach you self-defense and leave you.

I’m so lost in self-flagellation on my way through the house I almost miss the creak.

In the shadow, I slow.

Listen.

“Anyone there?”

Nick’s staff might get an early start.

“You’ve a good ear.”

“Nick.” Where is he?

“Appears neither of us could sleep.”

My vision adjusts, and I make out Nick in the foyer, deep in the shadows. The only light source is the fading moon. Like me, he’s dressed for a run.

“Time change.” A logical lie.

“It’s a bugger.”

He stretches an arm out, gesturing to the door. “Shall we?”

“Going to join me?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Not at all. If you can keep up.”

He doesn’t smile. No, he glowers. Something’s up.

We step out the door. Dampness blankets the chilly air. Somewhere, past the tree line, the sun teases with glimpses of gold. I don’t need to see the light to know she’s there with her promise of a new day.

“You lead,” Nick says.

I take off to the path that winds through the woods.

If he’s planning to shoot me, he wouldn’t ask me to run.

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