Page 21 of Your Soul to Keep

There would be no assistance from that quarter.

Where was their pride?

Their female solidarity?

Their sense of sisterhood?

I shook my head at all of them and turned back to the black-haired devil that stood in place of the Gabe I used to know. “And what’s the hard way?” I demanded.

“I tuck my shoulder into your little belly, and we walk out of here with your ass in the air and my hand wrapped around your thighs.”

I dipped my chin even as a hot ball of desire dropped low in my womb. “You wouldn’t.”

He smiled, and it was devastating. “Try me. Please, try me.”

All kinds of thoughts took flight in my head, none of them becoming to the churchly environment.

Harley laughed.

Noelle tittered and commented. “I need to go home. Like, right now.”

Wren’s face crumpled into concerned lines.

I rushed to intervene before she tangled with the bear I’d inadvertently poked.

“You’re right,” I agreed quickly, giving in to what I so desperately wanted. “Thank you, Gabe.”

“You’re sure, Shae?” Wren reached past Gabe to place her hand over my arm.

He stiffened, hostility rolling off him in waves.

Moving in front of Gabe, I covered Wren’s hand with mine. “I’m more than sure, Wrennie. Gabe and I have history, all of it sweet. I’m good with him.”

Leaning back, I aligned my back with his chest.

How many times had I stood just so?

Calming the beast.

He never faced me when he hurt.

Instead, he tucked his face into my neck, his nose into my hair, arms locked around my waist as I listened to him.

He confessed his failed assignments, railed at the teachers who accused him of being lazy and unfocused, and grieved over his dad’s constant disappointment with his grades.

His arms slowly loosening, his chin dropping to rest on my shoulder as he expelled the damage.

More than twenty years later, his body melted into mine.

Perhaps he hadn’t changed that much after all.

I hadn’t either.

Still looking for the nearest exit.

Perhaps it was time for me to begin a new chapter.

Opening my arms, I embraced my girls. “Please tell Bridge I said thank you.”

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