Page 71 of Faithless
“I don’t have a lot of time left here,” the words came out in a frantic rush, urgency hitting me like a train. “Torr assaulted some guards, and we’re likely to get kicked out soon. But we’re not done here, Santos. I won’t let you die as a gladiator.”
His brow furrowed, mouth flattening. “Kicked out? They’ll never let you back in.”
“Well, we’re not exactly coming to the front door and knocking politely.”
That smile returned, although sadder and more subdued than before. “I’m so glad I met you. You’re an incredible woman, Aurora.”
“You don’t even know me,” I teased.
“I know enough,” he returned, eyes lighting up.
We had gotten so close at some point. I was one outstretched leg away from straddling his lap, and our noses were nearly touching. My lips ached from wanting to kiss him so badly. With the way he kept stroking my mouth, it seemed we had similar ideas.
Neither of us spoke for a while. It felt like a tiny, fraying string held us apart, the final barrier between us threatening to snap at any moment. When it finally did, the two of us crashed together like storm clouds.
We met in the middle, and there was nothing tentative about that kiss. I opened my mouth to him, and his tongue swept in, tasting like desperation, like this first kiss might also be our last. The thought had my tongue caressing his, and I tasted bits of blood. Worried I’d hurt him, I pulled back to sip at his soft, plush lips, but he was having none of that. Santos wrapped an arm around my back and drew me closer, deepening our kisses until there was no space left between us.
I barely needed to move, but kissing him wasn’t enough. My leg flew over his lap, and he drew me down with a tender hold around my waist. Our lips never separated as I settled into him, resting my hands on the sides of his neck. I kept my forearms lifted off his chest until he ran a light touch from my wrist to my shoulder.
“You don’t have to be careful with me,” he murmured, kissing the edge of my jaw.
“I don’t want to hurt you more than you already are.” My head tilted back, shamelessly offering my neck to his mouth, and he obliged me, running a sensual trail of kisses from my earlobe to my shoulder.
“Imagine how hurt I’ll be if I never see you again.” Santos kissed the hollow of my throat, moving higher up the front of my neck.
“You will.” Our mouths connected in another kiss, and I gave a little tug on his lip with my teeth. “I swear on both the gods protecting us, I’ll come back for you.”
Santos looked unsure, his eyes flicking away for a moment. “Even if you do, what happens when that guy realizes how perfect you are and wants you for himself?”
I barked out a bitter, pained laugh. “Torr has never shown any interest in me in all the years I’ve known him. He’s not about to start now.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
“He knows how I am. How, you know, I was raised with multiple dads. And he’s never been a sharer, so it’s a moot point.”
“Ah, right.” Santos leaned back, his expression studious. “You’re never going to end up with just one guy, huh?”
I shrugged. “I’m not wired that way, but it hasn’t worked out for me so far, so who knows?”
His hold tightened on my waist as he let out a little scoff. “You’re fierce, brave, beautiful, and ruthless. You deserve rooms of men.”
I laughed a little, leaning forward to kiss him. “I only want one man right now.”
This time, I allowed myself to melt against his chest. Santos only wrapped tighter around me, pulling me closer until our chests were flush. He brought one hand to my knee, running a hard grip up my thigh as he pushed my dress up to my waist. His touch continued up and behind me, grabbing my ass in a rough squeeze that made my hips roll forward—and make contact with the stiff erection in front of me.
“I want you, Aurora,” he groaned, nipping at my throat again.
“I want you too, Santos.” I was needy and hot, fighting the urge to rub against him and soothe the pulsing ache between my legs. “But…”
He was still a gladiator. I would be using him. I didn’t want this unless he had the complete free will and inalienable right to say no.
Santos seemed to follow my train of thought and held my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “That’s not what this is. You don’t see this as a transaction, right?”
“No, but…”
“Iwant this. For me.” He cupped my cheek, kissing me tenderly. “You wanted to do something for me yesterday. Will you give me this?”
I let out a soft laugh of disbelief, rocking my forehead against his. “This is what you want? To be with me?”
