Page 8 of Guardian of Misty Mountain

Amelia sighs so sweetly and then settles down beside me, though I keep her close with an arm around her waist. She turns on the TV and navigates to whatever streaming service has the movie she wants to watch.

She presses play and snuggles further into my side. Less than ten minutes later, the adorable angel is sound asleep, her head resting against my chest while I comb my fingers through her long, silky hair.

Tomorrow, I’ll have to get some answers out of her. For now, though, this is perfect. I’ve never felt so complete, so filled with purpose, in my entire life. Now I need to make sure my woman is safe in her new home so we can start planning the rest of our lives. I’m already thinking about forever with Amelia.

4

AMELIA

“Is that bacon I smell?” Adrian asks, his voice scratchy from sleep.

I woke up about twenty minutes ago and wanted to get breakfast going before Adrian woke up. It’s the least I can do since he stayed here all night on the too-small couch. He must have carried me to bed, too, because the last thing I remember is curling up against his chest and closing my eyes.

“Yes! Bacon, eggs, and waffles. I also have strawberry simple syrup on the stove, I just need to strain it into a jar for us.”

I watch Adrian rise to his full height from where I’m standing in the kitchen. I can’t help but stare at his bare chest. A girl could get used to seeing such a sexy god first thing in the morning. He smirks at me and I blush, knowing I’ve been caught gawking.

“My button-up shirt wasn’t exactly comfortable to sleep in,” he explains.

“I don’t mind,” I reply with a wink. His smirk spreads out into a smile, a real one this time, as he remembers my words from yesterday in his workshop.

Adrian stalks toward me, taking the spatula out of my hands and spinning me around to face him. “You’re spoiling me,” he murmurs before stealing a kiss.

He pulls away, but I’m not done yet.

I circle my arms around his neck, wanting more but not sure how to ask for it. Adrian senses my need and bends down, ghosting his lips up my neck, pausing to nip at the sensitive spot below my ear.

“Does my greedy girl want another kiss?” he whispers against the shell of my ear. I nod eagerly and Adrian chuckles. “All you have to do is ask.”

“Please,” I say instantly, not even caring how desperate I sound.

“Anything for you, Amelia,” he murmurs before covering my lips with his.

His tongue tickles the roof of my mouth and then tangles with mine, each stroke winding me up higher and higher until I can't breathe. Adrian's hands slide down my body and he groans when he realizes I'm just wearing an oversized pajama shirt. It hits about mid-thigh, and yeah, maybe I was hoping to show off a little for him. I whimper when his fingers slip past the hem of my shirt, his rough, calloused fingers gliding along my soft flesh and sending sparks of pleasure coursing through my veins.

We finally break apart, but only because the stupid timer on the waffle iron starts beeping.

“To be continued,” Adrian says, giving me one last kiss on the cheek.

We sit at the table and share our second meal together. It feels comfortable like we've spent a lifetime of waking up like this - heated kisses, sweet words, and a hearty breakfast served at the table.

My phone buzzes with a text when I’m on my last bite of scrambled eggs. My friend from back home, Florence, probably has an update for me. I check the message, my stomach twisting into knots at its contents.

Florence:Hey girl, I've driven by your old house a few times this week like you asked. I never saw your mom or stepdad inside or even a car parked in the driveway. I was going to keep checking before reaching out to you, but today I saw a For Sale sign in the yard.

Shit. Are they moving? Where? Why? Are they here? Did they find me? Did they send Michael after me?

I don’t realize Adrian is kneeling right next to me until his hand covers both of mine. I’m trembling from head to toe as fear lances my heart.

“Talk to me, Amelia,” Adrian says softly. He’s being so gentle with me. “I can’t help if I don’t know what’s going on.”

Fear wrestles with the need to be seen, to be freed from my captors once and for all. One look in those deep blue eyes, and I know I’m going to let him in and tell him my truth.

I nod and let Adrian pull me out of my seat and guide me over to the couch. Taking a deep breath, I let it all out in a forceful sigh, then melt against Adrian’s chest. He tucks me further into his side, brushing a kiss to the top of my head.

"My mom and stepdad were, and still are, distrustful of pretty much everything and everyone. Authority figures, police, anyone associated with the government, and even my teachers were all perceived threats. It got so much worse when they started doing meth. They took me out of school in fifth grade and homeschooled me, their paranoia at an all-time high." I have to pause to gather my thoughts.

“Sweetheart,” Adrian coos, tightening his hold on me. “I can’t imagine what it was like growing up like that.”

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