Page 22 of Pack Coffey

"So, what you're telling me is that when this is all done and over, that I need to make sure to keep you doing things like this?" I ask, knowing good and well that's what I plan on doing.

"Maybe," he says, rewarding me with a soft smile.

This close I can see all of the small freckles dotting his nose like he used to spend a lot of time in the sun. His dark-brown eyes flick down to my lips, making my belly do flips.Damn the consequences, I tell myself as I go up on my tiptoes and offer my mouth to him. He's just tall enough that he'll have to lean down the rest of the way for the kiss, and he doesn't disappoint. As his lips press against mine, there's almost an immediate sizzle that races through my body. It's like I can't get enough of him. Then I part my lips and let him inside. By inside I don't just mean his tongue, either. His sweet, cinnamon scent engulfs me, burying itself deep. His compassion to help other people and protectiveness of what he feels needs it, has drawnme in and trapped me in his web.

I swear, I could kiss him forever, but the sound of thunder has us pulling apart and glancing toward the sky.

"I didn't know we were supposed to get a storm tonight," I whisper to the sky.

"I didn't either," he says curiously.

A lot of people are leaving, because the band has stopped playing. Even more are leaving the park as a bolt of lightning streaks across the sky.

"Guess that means the night is over, huh?" I ask, stepping away and moving over to where I left my bear.

Saint is right on my heels, so he runs into my back when I abruptly stop. Glancing around to make sure I'm in the right place, I ask him, "I did set it right there, didn't I?"

"Yes," he replies while also looking around for it.

Another bright bolt of lightning and rumble of thunder has a few of the girls around us screaming and running toward the entrance.

"Maybe some kid picked it up," I suggest.

He takes my hand and pulls us in the flow of people. Putting an arm around my shoulders, he tucks me in tight against his body, kissing my temple. "I'm sorry. I will get you another one."

Who needs a fake bear when I've got one practically hanging onto me for dear life right now? I don't tell him that. Instead, just enjoy the feeling of his body against mine. As soon as we step into the SUV, the bottom drops out of the sky, pounding rain against the windows.

It takes what feels like forever to get out of the festival traffic, but worth every second that I get to sit in here with Saint, replaying the night in my head. He's quiet the whole ride to my house. I worry about what has his mind occupied, but I convince myself not to ask in case it's disappointing.

When we get to my house, he pulls as close to the small porch as possible.

He glances over at me. "Ready?"

"One, two," I start.

Then together we blurt, "Three!" and jump out of the car, making a mad dash for cover. We're still both drenched by the time that we make it. I laugh as he shakes water out of his hair and it goes everywhere.

I unlock the door and turn back around with every intention of expressing my gratitude for the night. Even if it was just undercover for the case. Doesn't make it any less fun. But words don't happen as Saint closes the distance between us in one long stride and slams his lips down on mine. Once again, like at the festival, I'm completely consumed by him.

He walks me backward until my back touches the wall so that he can press his body against me. His hand comes up, gently grasping my throat, tilting my head back even further so that he can kiss me even deeper. When I can feel him starting to slow down and I know that the end is coming, a small whine leaves my throat. His reaction is instant. With a soft growl, he grabs the back of my thighs and lifts, bringing me up to his level as I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist.

Holding onto the sides of his face, I take as much as I'm willing to give him in return. Which is everything. Rain pounds the roof of my tiny house, falling down to hit the ground in little plops. All the while the thunder rolls around us with every flash of light. It, nor us, stopping for the other.

Saint pulls my back away from the wall and begins to walk us inside. He kicks the door shut behind us, and reaches back to what I'm assuming is to lock it.

The tiny house has its perks. There's only one place the bed can be in here, and he makes a beeline for it, walking past the small kitchenette and the stairs leading up to the loft. My bedis huge and covered in pillows, some of which we'll have to throw off to make room for him.

He sets me down on the edge of the bed and stands to his full height, leaving my face level with the hardness straining behind his jeans.

I look up at him through my lashes.

"Tell me to stop," he says through a quiet, strangled voice.

I don't want to, but I don't want him hating himself in the morning, either. So, I remind him, "What about the case?"

"To hell with the case," he barks gently. "I've sacrificed every happiness I've ever been due for others. I don't want to sacrifice you, too. Tell me this is as far as you want us to go."

Otherwise...

---