Page 81 of Taken By the Alpha Priest

REYES

Idon’t want to get out of this bed, even though I know we have something important to do.

Tilda curls up against my chest, snoring softly. It’s strange to see her like this—disarmed and at ease, all the concern and rage gone from her face. She still has frown lines between her brows, but otherwise there’s no trace of anger.

I want to make her smile. We’ve both been through enough.

Her eyes flutter open, glassy green in the dark. It’s pitch black in the room, the only light a golden glow coming in under the door, but I can see her anyway. I wonder if she’s developing any night vision yet, with the changes in the wake of her bite.

“What time is it?” Tilda mumbles, her voice still thick with sleep as she shifts against my chest.

I glance at the alarm clock on my bedside table, the red numbers glowing faintly in the dim light of early morning. “Just before five,” I murmur, my voice low so I don’t disturb the peaceful quiet around us.

She groans, burying her face against my shoulder. “Is it wrong that I don’t care about Homestead right now and I’d rather just stay here all day?”

I chuckle, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Not wrong at all. In fact, I was thinking the exact same thing.”

She sighs, her warm breath brushing against my skin. “I mean, do wereallyhave to deal with this today? Couldn’t we just…pretend it doesn’t exist for a little longer?”

I smile, running my fingers gently along her back. “We could,” I admit. “But the sooner we do this, the sooner we can stop worrying about it. And then…”

“And then what?” she asks, propping herself up on one elbow to look at me, her eyes still hazy from sleep but sharp enough to pierce straight through me.

“Then I spend the rest of my life getting to know the gorgeous woman in my bed,” I say, my tone teasing but my words entirely sincere.

She raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. “Big words for a guy who spent half the night mumbling in his sleep.”

I laugh, feeling a blush creep up my neck. “I did not.”

“Oh, you absolutely did,” she says, leaning in closer. “Something about ‘no, not the goats.’ Care to explain?”

“Dreams don’t count,” I say, pulling her closer until her body is flush against mine. “But if you must know, therewasthis one time I tried to rescue a goat from a rooftop in Austin. Long story.”

Her laughter fills the room, warm and genuine, and I can’t help but smile at the sound. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

“I’ve been called worse,” I say, my hand trailing down her arm to lace our fingers together. “But seriously, Tilda…we can do this.”

Her smile falters just a little, but she doesn’t look away. “You really believe that?”

“I do,” I say softly, squeezing her hand. “I’ve seen what you’re capable of, Tilda. I’ve seen your strength, your determination. And now that you’re with me…well, there’s nothing we can’t face.”

She rolls her eyes, but she can’t suppress the smile that curves her lips. “You know, for a priest, you’re a bit of a hopeless romantic.”

“Always have been,” I murmur. I kiss her gently, my hand skimming over her side to rest on her hip. “I didn’t hurt you last night, did I?”

“No,” she says. “I feel…strong, actually. Refreshed. Ready for this, even if I don’t want to get out of bed.”

“Speaking of which,” I say, my voice warm with amusement, “I think I’m going to look into getting a bigger bed.”

Tilda turns her head to look at me, her eyebrow quirking up. “You don’t like being all cuddled up with me?” she teases, her tone playful but with just enough edge to make me grin.

I snort, shifting to prop myself up on one elbow. “Not sure if you noticed, but I’m a big guy. And you’re what—close to six feet? My warrior queen.”

She smiles, biting her lip as her cheeks flush faintly. “I’m flattered.”

“And you should be,” I say, my voice softening as I meet her gaze. “You scare me a little, you know that?”

Her smile widens, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “I’ll take that as a compliment, too.”

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