Page 59 of The Hunted
The whispered caution floated into her mind, but she silenced it when she felt his hand cup the side of her neck and his other grip her thigh. His touch was tentative at first, and she secretly loved the way he waited to always seek permission to touch and kiss her, even when his instincts were probably telling him to take what she offered.
“Princess,” he murmured against her mouth, nipping at her lips.
Her hands tightened in his shirt. She could feel him pulling away, and she wanted to keep him close—wanted to keep kissing him till she completely lost herself in the feel of him against her skin.
“Princess,” he repeated on a groan, “as addicting as I see this becoming,” he peppered kisses against her chin and down the side of her jaw, “this isn’t exactly the most appropriate place to be making out.”
His teeth sank into the bottom of her ear she gasped. Her hips lifted off the bench at the same time she heard little kids screamewbefore they starting singing “K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”
Oh shit.
Her eyes widened, and she shoved Santino as far away from her as possible. Her face was hot. She kept her head ducked down and on the coffee cup in her hand, feeling slightly embarrassed.
Santino’s deep chuckle had her squirming in her seat. “It’s not that funny,” she grumbled as a squeal of laughter made her head look up to see the little girls who’d been on the swing making kissy faces at each other before they ran off to some other part of the park.
She smiled, watching them play without a care in the world. Their laughter made an ache creep its way into her chest at the thought of them losing their innocence. It made her glance around the park once more, looking for any signs of Mark or anyone else who didn’t belong.
Anyone else who would look to hurt them.
“He’s gone.” Santino reached over for her knee again. His touch sure and strong, grounding her. “And they’re off with their parents, look princess.”
She watched the girls be embraced by both their moms. They were safe.
“You want to tell me what had you out here running?” Santino’s voice was low. “What’s tormenting your mind so much that you couldn’t sleep?”
Outside of the hand on her knee, he had given her space. There was a wide berth between his body and hers, but she still felt every inch of his presence next to her. He was a soft, strong comfort that made her want to tell him all her secrets, but something held her back.
“Why, so you can slay mydemons?” She heard the tone in her voice. It was dripping with sarcasm. She ducked her head again, silently cursing how she sounded. It was like she was pushing him away because she felt raw and vulnerable.
Something she wasn’t comfortable feeling.
Because bad things tended to happen when I let my guard down.
“If they’re tangible,” she felt him shrug. “I’ll do whatever you need me to do, Silva.”
The conviction in his voice had her gaze snapping up toward him. He wasn’t looking at her, his eyes seemed to be taking in his surroundings. He was always so watchful. It was how he had known how she took her coffee and that chocolate croissants were her favorite. It was probably how he was so good at feeling her pick pocket him too.
She didn’t want to believe him.
How many people had she come across in her teen years and young adult life that said they would take care of anything for her? How many people had told her they would help put away anyone who hurt her and stick up for her when it mattered?
Everyone she’d ever come in contact with.
They all let her down in one way or another.
She learned how to hear the truth in someone’s words versus when they were just saying pretty things to make her feel better, and with Santino?
“You mean that, don’t you?” she whispered, feeling it deep in her bones. She noticed he didn’t make a habit of saying things he didn’t feel were true.
I think I want to fuck you.
She shivered, remembering how raw those words felt coming off of his lips. How surprised he’d been by his own admission. She knew then not to take his words lightly.
He nodded and turned to look at her. “I’ll follow your lead, but if you need me to help you, I will.” He kissed the side of her head and she scooched over to lean into him. He opened his arm for her, letting her cradle into the side of his body. She took a deep inhale, taking in the pine and lemon scent that seemed to cling to him. She found it oddly comforting. Her shoulders eased, and her eyes grew heavy. She could nap here with him and knew deep down he’d keep her safe.
It was a marveling and unnerving feeling. One, she never had with anyone, even Mari. Their relationship was hot and heavy. When she let herself open up to her, Silva never felt safe enough to sleep over, safe enough to let her guard down.
But here with Santino? Her jaw cracked on a yawn; she felt at peace for the first time in forever.
