Page 50 of Saint

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Later, lying in bed and wrapped in Nik’s warm embrace, Mia’s conscience fought within her. Caught in a terrible situation, she didn’t know if she could just step aside and allow her father to die. Granted, he wasn’t the nicest guy, but honestly, neither was Nik.

At least, he hadn’t been, but something had shifted between them. Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried to be logical. Nik Valentine had kidnapped her in order to use her against her dad. As soon as he and his team achieved their goal, Nik would toss her out like yesterday’s trash.

Or, what if…

Her eyes popped open. Nik had admitted they planned on destroying The Agency and he’d confirmed that meant they’d kill her dad. Once she’d served her purpose, would they kill her, too? The first trickle of fear slid down her spine.

Then the worst thought of all started pinging around in her head like a rubber band. Was Nik only playing her? Trying to gain her trust so he could control her better?

Mia wanted—needed—answers. Nik had given her very few and kept her on a need-to-know basis. Well, dammit, she needed to know more right now so she could make an informed decision about how to move forward. She refused to become another casualty in his team’s war. She needed to be brave.

For the first time in her life, Mia was putting herself first. Up until meeting Nik, she’d always been somewhat of a pushover, too timid to speak her mind. But all that changed when Nik tossed her into the back of his SUV. Somehow, he’d managed to unleash her inner fire like no one else. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind or challenge him. Ironic, since his intimidating presence should make her quake. But, despite allhis growling and prickliness, she’d discovered the fire-breathing dragon was hiding a heart beneath his scales.

His heart didn’t belong to her, though. And Mia was smart enough to know it never would. Nik wasn’t the kind of man to fall in love, get married and have a family. He thrived on danger. The proof was in his past—his association with the Bratva, The Agency and who knew what other sinister groups.

Sure, he seemed to enjoy kissing and touching her, but he was a man. Didn’t they all? She should probably feel used, just a convenient way for him to pass the time, but she didn’t. Maybe because he was the first man to make her feel desired. He certainly wasn’t a selfish lover. She’d lost count of the number of orgasms he’d given her, and they’d only had intercourse once. He said he knew she was sore. And if he was only using her for the time being, why would he care?

Ugh.Chewing her lower lip, Mia fought to process everything going through her mind. She needed space and to clear her head. To be objective and logical like they’d taught her in law school. She had to get out of that bed before she fooled herself into believing Nik was her boyfriend and that his warm body pressed against hers actually meant something. Winding up hurt was inevitable if she allowed herself to entertain such foolish fancies.

Get up, Mia.

Sliding out from beneath his heavy arm, doing her best to not wake him up, she slipped out of bed. The cold, wooden floor made her toes curl, and for the first time in hours it had nothing to do with the inked, naked man sprawled before her, deep in sleep.

Forcing herself to turn away, she tiptoed out into the living room where the fire burned low and steady. Nik checked it every couple of hours, making sure to add wood, so she wasn’t worried about it going out. The wind still whistled outside and she squinted out the frosty window. It looked like the snow had finally stopped.

Their time together was coming to an end. She had no doubts about it. Once the weather permitted him to leave, Nik would do exactly that. Then his team would kill her father. After that, what would he do with her? She honestly had no idea.

Determined and desperate for answers, not wanting to fall in line and allow other people’s decisions to dictate her life any longer, she swiped up the burner. Ignoring the goosebumps on her skin, she hurried into the bathroom and shut the door. Her best option was to go straight to the source, to hear both sides of the story, and then make an informed decision. If law school had taught her anything before she dropped out, it’s that there were always two sides to any given situation.

Back against the wall, literally, she pulled up the keypad and typed a phone number. One she’d memorized, but rarely ever called. Even though the display screen showed it was only four thirty in the morning, she knew he’d answer. He’d once told her he had trouble sleeping at night. That little fact didn’t surprise her. People with a guilty conscience usually didn’t sleep well.

It rang and rang, and she was about to hang up when a voice finally snapped, “Carlisle.”

“Hi, Dad,” she whispered softly.

Chapter Seventeen

Saint reached out for Mia’s warm body, but his hand only touched ice-cold sheets. Popping up, he looked over to her side of the bed. Empty.Relax,he told himself.She’s just using the bathroom.He’d give her exactly two minutes. Then he’d go get her.

Because he was cold and she helped warm him. That’s all. Well, he also liked her soft curves. So unlike his hard body. Sometimes, she felt so delicate in his arms, and it brought out another side of him. A side that would do anything to protect her.

Where the hell was she?

With a huff, he was about to climb out of bed when she walked through the doorway. She was wearing his black T-shirt and it reached her mid-thigh. All he could think about was what was underneath it and yanking it off her so he could explore that luscious body all over again. He lifted the blanket and she ran across the cold floor, jumping into bed with him. Pulling her back to his front, wrapping a possessive arm across her body, he brushed her hair aside and began kissing her neck.

“Where were you,kotyonok?” His tongue trailed a hot path down to the curve of her neck and shoulder.

“Bathroom.” She shifted against him, and he knew there was no way she didn’t feel his early morning wood. When hishand dipped between her thighs and covered her mound, she let out a soft breath.

“Are you still sore?” His finger traced up and down her seam. She moaned softly as he parted her folds and slid his finger into her hot channel. So slick, so damn ready, she coated his digit with her sweet juices. “Fuck, you’re already soaked.”

“I’m…better,” she gasped, rocking against his hand as he circled her wetness around that taut, little clit. He continued to finger-fuck her and when she ground against his hand, he returned the favor, grinding his dick against her ass.

Fuck, he was aching and she’d just given him the go-ahead. She was close, trembling, and he was desperate. Gripping her hip, he pushed his leg between hers, opening her up, and thrust inside her from behind.

A cry tore from her throat as he filled and stretched her, opening her sweet body up for him.

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