Page 30 of Wicked Devotion

Faith finally felt herself get drowsy and prayed for any way to be away from Rafael. If it couldn’t be physical distance, it had to be emotional.

Chapter Thirteen

Faith was awakened when Rafael’s arm tightened around her. She was disoriented at first and stiffened.

“Shhh, it’s me, your husband,” Rafael said behind her.

She tried to relax, but it was impossible. “I need to use the bathroom.” It was the only thing she could think of to move away from him.

“I want you right back here.”

She waited for him to release her before moving off the mattress and into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. She thought about locking it but knew he’d fight it.

After using the toilet, she stood in front of the sink and stared at herself while she washed her hands. She couldn’t remember looking that pale, and the bruises under her eyes stood out because of it. If she lost any more color, she’d look like a corpse.

“Faith,” Rafael called out.

She sighed, dried her hands, and opened the door. Her first inclination was to make a run for it, but she was naked and knew he’d catch her before she took a few steps.

Rafael propped himself up on his elbow and narrowed his eyes. “Don’t even think about it.”

Faith took one more look at the bedroom door before moving back to the bed. A gasp tore from her throat when he abruptly hooked an arm around her waist and yanked her back against him.

Rafael turned her to her back, smoothed the hair from her face, and placed a hand on her stomach. The heat from his hand built the desire that had risen in her since waking in his arms. She tried to fight it but she knew it would continue to build. Just his scent or the tone of his voice was enough to make her body tingle.

“I need to warn you, Wife, that if I lose you, I will lose my sanity.”

She looked up at him in surprise. That almost sounded like he cared about her.

He cradled her face in his hand. “I’ve never felt anything like what I feel for you. The depth and strength of it should scare me because I never knew something like this even existed. But do you want to know what scares me the most?” he asked.

Faith bit down on her lip and nodded.

“Losing you, Baby. I did not have sex or even kiss that woman. I wouldn’t do that because I knew there was a chance I’d lose you, and I couldn’t stand it.”

Faith lay there speechless and shocked. She never would have imagined this man could feel so strongly for her.

He bent and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “Please don’t think I’ll ever give you up because it’s inconceivable to me to have a life without you. I want to see you pregnant with my children. I want to watch you breastfeed them, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. Hell, you could already be pregnant. Did you think about that?”

She was shocked. Being pregnant never crossed her mind. God, the thought of a baby enthralled her and terrified her at the same time. She had always dreamed of having babies, but what if things didn’t change with her husband? Did she really want to have a family with him?

Faith studied his expression and saw nothing but concern, warmth, and affection mixed with desire. Did she give him a chance? She wished she could talk to her sisters, but they had their own husbands to deal with. She knew in her heart she’d never be able to leave him. He was already a part of her.

“I won’t try to leave,” she whispered.

“Give me your word,” he growled.

“I promise to stay with you, but…”

“But what?” he asked.

“My feelings for you have grown since I’ve known you, and I’m guessing they’ll deepen as time goes by, but if I find you have been with another woman, any feelings for you will die, and I can’t think of anything you could do to get it back.”

His grip on her face tightened but not painfully. “I will not take the chance of that happening. You are everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman and more. I’m not stupid enough to risk you. But…”

She repeated what he said. “But, what?”

“But … you will give me everything.”

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