Page 161 of At the Edge of Surrender

Shaking with the energy that burned through us.

Blonde hair mussed and her cheeks pinked.

Lips plumped and swollen.

Bare from the waist down.

Stare untamed as she took me in.

I forced myself to move slowly. To ease up to her before I got down onto my knees in front of her. Careful as I helped her back into her underwear.

I never looked away from her as I did, our gazes tangled and our hearts locked.

When I covered her, I reached up and framed her precious face in both my hands. Gripping on tight. “I know, baby, I know. I won’t discount the pain and worry that you’re feeling. And I might not have really known your sister, but I have a feeling that she would have wanted you to be happy. If that’s what I make you.”

I wanted to.

I wanted to make this woman happy.

A flicker of guilt buzzed through my being. I also knew that my life could bring suffering. That it was dangerous and wrought with peril.

But I couldn’t imagine changing it. Couldn’t imagine stopping what I did.

Not when I knew it made the world a better place for them.

“I’m afraid that you might,” Emery whispered.

I reached up and caught a tear that slipped from her eye.

“I don’t think you need to be afraid of that. Not when I’m pretty sure it was what I was made to do.”

“We hardly know each other…and…I have to leave.”

Pain tore through her when she said it.

“Do you?” It was a soft grunt.

Uncertainty passed through her delicate features, and I pushed up to standing, hoisting her into my arms.

With one arm looped around her waist, I dragged down the covers with the other hand and settled her in the middle, then I crawled in beside her.

That gaze turned cautious and excited. “What are you doing?”

“Holding you.”

I tucked her close to me. Her body alight while mine was afire.

I blew out a contented sigh at the feel of her against me.

“I’m not sure this is a good idea.” She breathed it at the base of my throat.

I ran my hand down her back. “I think it’s a great idea. After holding you last night, I think it’s exactly the way I want to spend every night of my life.”

Silence hovered between us. Her qualms fluttering in the space.

“You know I’m going back to Wisconsin in three weeks.”

Every molecule in my body revolted at the thought.

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