Page 38 of Into the Light

“Have you ever seen him before?”

“No, he was definitely a tourist.”

“Okay, look. I’m angry as hell you didn’t tell anyone about this thing the other night. But you did good today, kid.” Theo fake-punched my shoulder and then kissed my cheek. “You gonna crash at our place?”

“No, I’ll take care of her,” Raf said, his voice conveying a finality on the subject.

“Okay. Don’t let her out of your sight.” Theo looked around the parking lot and out to the street. The fog had lifted a little, but it still cast an eerie haze over the town. “I don’t like this situation one bit.”

nineteen

RAFAEL

Ellie didn’t talk muchon the drive to my place, which was understandable, but still made me anxious. She was always bubbly, always bright. Even when she was pissed, she’d at least speak up and let you know why. But this quiet, scared Ellie was a different side of her.

I reached my hand over and rested it on her thigh, sliding it up and down, squeezing her skin lightly. I needed to touch her, but needed her to know I was here for her too. The rage that someone messed with her, that she could have been hurt, was alive and well inside me, growing more fiery and lethal by the minute, but I did everything I could to tamp it down. Being here for Ellie was the most important thing. I could get out my aggression later.

Ellie’s hand came to rest on top of mine, and I felt my chest loosen just a little. I looked over at her. She was leaning against the window, her eyes closed. She looked so peaceful, so perfect. I always knew I’d do anything to protect her, but in that moment, the clarity and realization of just how far I’d go for her, hit me like a ton of bricks.

I pulled into my driveway and jogged around the front of the truck to open Ellie’s door, but she beat me to it.

“You don’t get off that easy,”

“What do you mean?” she asked, as she turned to hop down.

“Let me take care of you.”

Before she hit the ground, I picked her up, her legs wrapping around my waist easily. The memory of the last time I’d had her in this position flooded my brain and my cock stirred.

I walked to the porch, up the two small steps, and to the door. Ellie was a good foot shorter than me, so carrying her was an easy task. And I’d thought that taking care of her, that holding her, would keep my aggression at bay. Normally Ellie calmed me. But something about her being in danger fucked with my head.

I held on to her, but instead of calming down, I felt pumped up. I walked us inside, my movements jerky, my energy buzzing like a damn live wire.

“Raf.”

I grunted. It was only then I realized I’d backed her up against the wall, reminiscent of the other night.

“Raf,” she said again, pointedly. I finally met her eyes. They were different now, like the ocean on a stormy day.

“You need me.” It was a statement. She knew. Ellie knew me better than I gave her credit for. She could read me like a book. I nodded once.

She thrusted her hips against my torso. I couldn’t help but return the motion. And god, I wanted to be romantic. I wanted to treat her like a queen, like she deserved. Especially for our first time. But this feral part of me couldn’t be tamed right then. I needed to claim her. I needed to fuck her like she’s mine. Because shewasmine now.

I crashed my mouth down onto hers. Our tongues tangled, our lips bruised. The blood pulsed through my body, hot and frenzied and I could barely keep my control. Ellie wrestled her mouth off of mine and spoke.

“Stop holding back.”

Confusion hit me, because I knew how crazed I felt.

“You’re shaking, Raf.”

I looked down to my hands where they gripped her waist to see that she was right.

“I know what you need, but you’re trying to hold back. I don’t need you to be careful with me. I want you.”

“I don’t want to hurt you, angel.”

“You won’t. I promise. And if you do, it’s because I’m telling you I want it.” My eyes shot up to hers again and I saw the desire in them. “I don’t want you to be gentle, Raf. I want you to take me the way you need to.”

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