Page 65 of The Silent

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Kyra’s heart began to race, and Leo caressed her back with long, soothing strokes. She buried her face in his chest and breathed in his scent. Kyra knew, for the rest of her life—however long it was—the scent of Leo’s skin would be the most comforting thing in the world. Touching Leo’s skin, there was peace. Breathing him in, there was happiness. His arms made her safe. His kisses made herbrave.

Kyra took a deep breath and tried to explain. “Just watching you isoverwhelming.”

“Are youscared?”

“Not of you,” she said. “Just… theunknown.”

He bent down and whispered in her ear. “Have you ever touchedyourself?”

She shookherhead.

“Never,Kyra?”

“I never felt alone,” she said. “There was never any privacy. And all the women who came to my father… What they did felt obscene.Dirty.”

“Is what you did to medirty?”

“No,” she choked out. “It was beautiful.” She looked into his eyes. “You’rebeautiful.”

“So are you,” he said, smoothing a hand from her neck, down her back, and lightly over her bottom. “And everything we do together will bebeautifultoo.”

She nodded and tried to regain herboldness.

“Later.” Leo pressed her cheek to his chest. “Sleep,ana sepora. We’ve had a long day. Right now is the timetorest.”

* * *

She woketo the sound of birds in the forest and a man snoring inherear.

Kyra’s eyeswentwide.

Oh yes. Leo was inherbed.

Leo was…inherbed.

And she’d done rather wonderful and brazen things to him in the middle of thenight.

She’d blame exhaustion, but that would be dishonest. She’d been wanting to touch him like that for… possibly years. Yes,years.

And now…he was inherbed.

He drew in a giant breath and shifted, turning toward her and snaking an ink-covered arm over her waist. He pulled her back and spread his hand over her belly, tucking her body into his. His chest pressed to her back. Her head rested on his arm. His hips snugged against her bottom as he arched andpressed…

Good morning!Itwasback.

Kyra’s eyes went wide, but Leo didn’t wake up. Apparently he could sleep that way with no problems. She wondered what happened if he rolled over. It was very hard and stiff. Would it break? That seemedpainful.

But the sleeping man wasn’t inclined to move. He rested with his face in her hair, breathing in and out with a happy rumble in his chest. His warm skin pressed against her back, and his hand rested on the soft skin of herbelly.

It was all ratherwonderful.

Kyra smiled and snuggled closer, enjoying the feel of Leo’s skin against hers. She was happy. Despite everything, she didn’t think she’d ever beenhappier.

He took another deep breath and cleared his throat alittle.

“Good morning,” shewhispered.

A quiet grunt was the only response she received. Leo wasn’t a morning person. That knowledge made her smile too. What else would she learn about him that would be onlyforher?