Page 64 of Azrael

I watched her approach, taking in the details I’d missed during the reunion.The dark circles under her eyes told me she hadn’t slept well during my absence.Her hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail, revealing the delicate curve of her neck.She wore a simple black T-shirt and jeans, no makeup, no pretense.She’d never needed the extras other women used to catch a man’s eye.

When she reached me, I didn’t speak.Just took her hand and led her away from the noise of the main room.Down the hallway, past the meeting room where we’d just planned for war, to a small storage area with a window overlooking the compound.Not private enough for what I really wanted, but good enough for now.

I closed the door behind us, and for a moment, we just looked at each other.The dim light filtering through the dusty window cast shadows across her face, highlighting the curve of her cheekbones, the fullness of her lips.

“You found her,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.“You brought her back.”

“I told you I would.”

“I know.I never doubted.”She stepped closer, close enough that I could feel the heat of her body.“But knowing isn’t the same as seeing.Having.”

I reached up, cupping her face in my hand.Her skin was soft under my calloused palm, a reminder of the differences between us -- differences that somehow made us fit together all the better.

“You should know what we’re facing,” I began, duty warring with desire.

She placed her finger against my lips.“Later.Right now, I need…”

I didn’t make her finish.In one fluid motion, I pulled her against me, my mouth finding hers with the certainty of a man who knows exactly what he wants.Her lips parted instantly, welcoming me home in a way no words could match.I backed her against the wall, one hand cradling the back of her head to protect her from the impact, the other sliding down to grip her hip.

The kiss deepened, her hands finding their way under my cut, fingers pressing into my back through my T-shirt.There was desperation in her touch -- the release of fears she’d been holding since I’d left to find her mother.I could taste salt on her lips, wasn’t sure if the tears were hers or mine.

For long minutes, we stayed like that, relearning each other through touch and taste.My hand moved from her hip to the small of her back, pressing her closer, feeling her soft curves against the hard planes of my body.She made a sound in the back of her throat -- half moan, half sigh -- that shot straight through me.

“Missed this,” I murmured against her lips.“Missed you.”

She pulled back just enough to look into my eyes.“Show me how much.”

Before I could respond, a knock on the door interrupted us.I growled in frustration, keeping Zara pinned against me as I glared at the door.

“What?”I snapped.

The door cracked open to reveal Gator, his face apologetic but determined.At sixty-six, he’d seen enough of life to know when something was important enough to risk interrupting a moment like this.

“Sorry,” he said, his Cajun accent thicker than usual.“Thought you’d want to know -- Mazida’s looking tired.Figured she needs somewhere quiet to rest up.”

I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to get to the point.

“Mazida can stay at my place tonight,” he offered, his gaze flicking between Zara and me.“Got the spare room all made up.Quiet there, away from the noise.Figure you two might want some” -- he cleared his throat – “privacy.”

I felt Zara relax against me.She’d been worried about her mother, about where she would sleep tonight.The compound had limited accommodations for women who weren’t club property or long-term old ladies.And after Charming had said Zara could only stay if she was mine, she probably assumed the same would be true for her mother.

“That would be great,” Zara said before I could respond.“If you’re sure it’s not an imposition, and if she’s comfortable doing that.”

Gator waved off her concern.“No trouble.My place is one of the most secure in the compound.Your mama will be safe there.And we’ve been talking.She doesn’t seem scared of me.”

I studied him for a moment, noting the careful way he avoided looking directly at Zara now that she was in my arms.Respect, or something more?It didn’t matter.Gator was loyal to the club, and his offer made sense.

“She stays with you tonight,” I agreed.“We’ll regroup at the clubhouse in the morning.Make sure she understands the rules.I haven’t had time to discuss the club with her yet.”

Gator nodded.“Already explained the basics.No leaving the compound without an escort.No contact with outsiders.”

“When did you do all that?”Zara asked.

“When you ran to the bathroom.”Gator shrugged.“I didn’t want her sitting there alone.”

“And she agreed?”Zara asked, surprise evident in her voice.

“Your mama’s a smart woman,” Gator said with a slight smile.“She knows what’s at stake.”

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