Page 68 of Keep Her from Them

“After the night you’ve had…” I began.

She chuffed an unfunny laugh then reached for her hoodie pocket, extracting a scrap of white lace. “This was hanging on your shower door.”

It was the mask she’d worn in Hell. The one I’d used to get myself off to thoughts of her. Heat flooded me.

“I’m not going to ask why it was in there, but I am going to do this.”

Alex pushed up on her knees and took the hem of her t-shirt. Without hesitation, she stripped it over her head, discarding it to allow me to stare at her perfect, stunning body.

Ah, Christ.

That wave of heat crashed over and drowned me. In a heartbeat, I knew a truth, that if I did anything more with her, there would be no going back. I couldn’t sleep with her and stay sane.

I was fucked. I always had been with this lass.

Chapter 23

Alexandra

I tossed the lace mask and steadied my shaking hand to beckon Raphael. “Don’t make me ask twice.”

He braced himself against the wall, his gaze glued to my breasts in a way that had me sit taller on his bed. Arch my spine to give him a better view. I was in love with how his chest rose and fell on a heavy breath. Enamoured with the instant tent in his shorts.

His focus returned to my eyes. “Fuck it. Let me make ye feel good.”

He released the tight hold he had on himself and crossed the room, kneeling on the mattress to slide an arm around me. His lips took mine, and I melted back onto the sheets with a whimper of need.

At last. I’d wanted this so badly I could cry. His warm fingers on my skin. His lips parting mine so he could taste me. It had been a night of endless drama, and the excitement in leaving had been wrapped up in the man I’d escaped with. I craved Raphael. Needed to feel him all over me.

He needed to touch me, too. I knew from how his hand splayed across my back when our kiss turned hot and heavy. He groaned, and something deep inside me liquefied.

Somehow, we worked together so well. We met and clashed and took in a perfect rhythm that skyrocketed my spiralling need to the point of insanity.

I had to know he wanted me just as much. I reached between us.

Raphael caught my wrist and extended my arm above my head, snatching up the other to do the same so he had both in a light but firm hold against the pillows.

Desperation burned through me. “Don’t say I can’t touch you.”

His focus slid down my exposed skin. “No, princess. This is all about ye. Christ, your body is incredible.”

“Please. At least let me see you. Take off your shirt.”

Surprise registered in his eyes, but he blinked it away. “Keep your hands there and I will.”

I nodded feverishly, and he sat back to strip his t-shirt, dropping it to the floor. Broad shoulders and strong arms filled my vision, while he laid a hungry kiss on my cheek.

“You’re still bleeding, aye?”

My mouth fell open. I was on the last day of my period and had a tampon in. I’d forgotten. He hadn’t. With a groan of embarrassment, I hid my face.

Raphael caught my hands again. “What did I say about keeping these above your head?”

“But I’m…”

“I’ll stay clear of the danger zone.”

My surprised laugh changed into a sound of desire as he caught my lips again, one big palm sliding up my rib cage to touch my breasts.Finally.

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