Page 220 of Hide and Keep

“No.”

After I turn on the water, I set her down and spin her around to unzip the back of her dress, sliding the thick material down. Next, I pull her long-sleeve shirt over her head. She’s only in her bra and panties for a minute thanks to my quick work, then bare before me, and I just can’t help myself. I look. I look at every. Naked. Inch. I’d take three minutes with Ever Munreaux but my underserving ass somehow gets her for three years.

Ignoring the invisible timer above our heads, I kiss one shoulder, closing my eyes as I savor the moment.

Mine.

“I thought you were getting in, too?”

“I am,” I tell her with a gruff tone.

She attempts to undress me but is way too short to even get my shirt past my chin, so holding back laughter, I help her out, pulling it off and adding it to the growing pile on the floor. I do my socks and shoes myself but let her take my pants down before kicking them the rest of the way off.

I carefully remove the bandage from my forearm. Thankfully, she’s been wearing her purple bracelet ever since I gave it back to her. If not, I would’ve had to go after her right away. Being able to track her every move allowed me to sit back and finish the tat. It worked out because even though I’d been considering getting the bat, I wouldn’t have had the courage to with her watching.

Ever’s gaze sweeps down my front, her thoughts a complete mystery.

“What?” I ask when the suspense becomes unbearable.

“It’s just… You…”

What about me? Does she like what she sees? Does she not?

Her azure eyes pierce mine. “I’ve been to the Met, the Louvre, the Tate, the Vatican.”

I nod slowly like I know what those are. I’ve heard of one hosting a fashion show and one sounds kind of like a church…maybe. But the other two? Not a damn clue.

“I’ve seen a lot of art from all over the world. Rare pieces. Historic masterpieces. Entire collections too valuable to be viewed by the public. I’ve also made a lot of art. None of it, not one single piece, compares to…” She waves a hand down my body. “You.”

Hearing shit like that might make me do something stupid, like fall in love with my protectee.

I grab her face between my palms and consider doing it—kissing her. So what if she does have something contagious? I’d risk it. I’d risk everything for her.

I already am. I was all talk earlier. I know there will be consequences if Arthur finds out about us, but fear alone isn’t strong enough to stop a moving train and apparently neither am I because I can’t stop this need to protect Ever, to be around Ever. I want her safe. I want her happy. But most of all, I want her to be bothwithme.

The only reason I don’t say “fuck it” and seal my lips to hers is because she hasn’t given me permission to.

“Are you still drunk?”

She tries shaking her head. “I think I’m high though.”

I inspect her pupils. They appear normal.

“What did you take?”

“Nothing. I told you before I don’t do drugs.”

“Did he slip you something?” That motherfucker. I should’ve thrown him in the river.

Ever’s eyes fall to my lips.

Kiss me, Ever. Kiss me until the world goes dark.

She doesn’t. Instead, she whispers, “You drugged me.”

“I didn’t—”

“You’re doing it right now.”

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