Page 72 of Whiteout

Like now.

She looked away from the fire and hugged her pillow, closing her eyes while she waited for Sinjin to come back and the Motrin to kick in.

Then the mattress dipped beside her.

Smooth lips kissed her shoulder.

Warm breath fanned her skin.

“I didn’t want to wake you, so I let myself in. Is that okay?”

“It’s more than okay.” Breanna rolled over and palmed his cheek. “I missed you.”

His fingers threaded into her hair and he gripped her nape, bringing her mouth to his. And with Sinjin’s powerful arms to shelter in, everything felt all right again.

“I was hoping Derek wasn’t coming back.” Snuggled against his chest, Breanna rubbed his skin. “Wishful thinking, I know.”

“It’s going to be okay, princess,” he said, strumming his thumb over her nipple. “Tomorrow, we’re going to call your mom.”

She lifted her head. “I don’t want to.”

“Your mom deserves to know where you are and that you’re okay.” He raised his hand to her hair, running his fingers through it. “And she might know something that can help us.”

What the hell?

“They did manage your trust fund together.”

“What does Derek want this mountain for?”

“Besides the obvious?” Laying her head back down on his chest, Sinjin returned to his strumming. “His father.”

“His father?”

“Yeah, and he’s got it in his head that there’s more gold to be had here.” He kissed her crown. “That’s how George Dalton made the family fortune, you know.”

“Is there?” Breanna bent her neck to glance up at him.

“I don’t think so, but it’s possible, I suppose.” Sinjin snickered. “They found some near Yosemite not too long ago.”

“Gold.” She sighed. “Imagine that.”

He rolled over on top of her, caging her beneath him. “I don’t give a shit about gold.”

“No?”

Greedily sucking her nipple into his mouth, Sinjin bit down on it.

“Fuck, baby, that feels good.”

“You’re who I care about, princess” He soothed the sting with his tongue. “I’ve got plans for us.”

“You do?”

Raising his head from her breast, whiskey bored into blue. “I do.”

“You make me feel…” God, so many things. “…safe, secure, wanted.”

“That’s how I always want you to feel, baby.” And he touched his lips to hers. “Because you are.”