Page 88 of Desolation

Her palm rests on my cheek. “It’s fine.”

“Are you sure?”

She nods. “I feel closer to you when I can feel all of you. Besides, you didn’t exactly ask last night when you used my body for your own pleasure.”

I close my eyes and sigh. “Shit. I’m sorry about that, Mar. I shouldn’t have been that rough with you. Shouldn’t have taken out my anger and sadness and guilt on you. I shouldn’t have used you like it.”

She presses her lips to mine. “I know you needed it. And we will be fine. I’m on the pill.”

“I could have hurt you last night.”

“You didn’t.” Her lips are on mine again and I apologize to her yet again through a kiss.

When she pulls back, she laughs. “Now, I just get to return the favor when I need it.”

She winks at me and I laugh out loud. I pull out of her and sit up, taking in every curve of her exquisite body. I want this woman to be mine. I don’t want her as just a friend. Or just casual sex. I want her in my life, by my side. She makes me feel like I can breathe again.

The thoughts scare the shit out of me so I get up and head to the bathroom. I rinse my face with ice cold water, hoping to jolt the thoughts from my head. But it’s no use. This woman has gotten under my skin. Too bad I know I can’t keep her forever. I know she isn’t mine to keep.

I take a deep breath and bring a warm washcloth back to the bed. I wipe between her legs but keep my dark eyes focused on her honey colored ones. There is so much emotion between our gazes, it's almost tangible.

I break away first and head back to the bathroom. I decide to shower to avoid whatever is happening between us. The cold water rinses over my body, allowing my muscles to tighten back up, to carry the guilt I am used to, back to where it belongs.

When I finally make it out of the bathroom, Mari is snoring softly. Her blond hair spread across my pillow. The sheet barely covering the curve of her ass.

The thoughts I tried to push away hit me hard as I watch her sleep.

This magnanimous, gorgeous, intelligent woman has a grip on my heart.

I’m fucked.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Mari

“You aren’t going to this barbeque.”

I push past Dax and head to the garage. “Yes, I am. Landon invited me.”

“I don’t think it's safe for you to meet all the people at Cole Security. You aren’t exactly telling the truth about who you are and if someone recognizes you—”

“No one has recognized me since I came here Dax. My hair is platinum and four inches shorter. My nose is crooked. I wear crop tops and tight jeans instead of blouses and slacks. I don’t look like Mariela Waters.”

“No, you look like the girl from the west side of Chicago I met in college. But that doesn’t mean people won’t remember that’s how you used to look.”

I roll my eyes at him and jump into his Aston Martin.

“Don’t you want to make sure you can watch over me? You know in case someone breaks in again.”

His jaw ticks at that statement. “Yes, but you would be fine in the house if you kept the doors locked and set the alarm.”

“Well, just think you can really make sure I am safe by being around a bunch of former Navy SEALs.”

He slides in next to me. “Mariela, that’s not the only thing I am worried about.”

I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him. I know exactly where this is going.

“You and Landon are getting awfully close.”

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