Page 43 of Vow to Protect
She’s bent over the tub when I join her. Lingering at a safe distance, I lean into the doorjamb and cross my arms. I know she senses my inspection. My gaze follows loose curls tumbling over narrow shoulders, all the way down to the sexy dent at the base of her spine.
Foolishly, I welcome hope. A powerful emotion I’ve buried under the rubble of anguish. Maybe Blaine’s men will revolt, dropping him into freshly poured cement. Perhaps his enemy will cut his throat and hang him out to dry. It’s also possible that Malakai will arrest the fucker before Raen sails away as hidden cargo.
Hope gives us more time in a world that isn’t fair. Yet even hope is hopeless. The four-letter word is the same as a wish. And wishes ultimately never happen.
I want to have her all to myself. Because as incredible as this whole situation is, I’ve found peace in chaos.
Raen slowly turns to face me. “It won’t take long to fill.” A powerful jet of water charges on top of the plug like a tropical waterfall. Hazy steam clouds whirl around her naked form like clouds adoring a mythical goddess.
How has this happened?
A palm skims her scar when I push off the frame and stalk closer. Gathering her against me, my erection digs into her belly. I swear she shivers, immediately tensing as if she doesn’t want me to see how affected she is. “I should thank you,” I say into her ear.
“You’re thanking me? What for?” Fingertips press into my hips when I lick my way down her salty throat.
“For being you.” I drag my tongue over her collarbone, grinning when a ragged sigh escapes her.
I could go deeper. Explain more. Offer the truth. Tell her she’s the blacksmith repairing my steely heart, reshaping it with scorched iron. Forging strength and desire. How those flames fortify my dick, making it excruciatingly hard. Instead, I squeeze her breast, bringing the succulent nipple to my teeth.
Her tattered groan rattles my core. My mind goes blank, blocking out our reality, diminishing the past and erasing the inevitable.
Our lips smash together. Slippery and hungry. I crush her fragile, tortured body in my arms, supporting her as she trembles with a lust we’ve created from sorrow.
“If things were different,” she whispers into my mouth. A mash of fear and longing in her eyes stabs my heart.
Our kiss deepens. Purposely banishing wishful thinking. “We’ve got time. A few more days of this.” I run my hands through her hair and tug. Instantly, her neck is exposed. A throbbing vein pulsates out of time. I stare at the excitement thrumming through her body, taking a beat to collect myself with a degree of gentility. She’s endured too much cruelty over the weeks. Reigning in my inclination for roughness, I lessen the grip. Her lashes blink, and she tightens her arms, wrapping me tightly.
We stand there, naked, aroused, panting—simply holding each other. Silently hugging for eternity. Begging the universe for a reprieve. Her cheek rests over my heart like she’s listening to the truth for herself. She squeezes harder. I don’t let go. We’ve stumbled upon togetherness. An intensity so genuine and priceless.
I could fuck her over the basin and sink my teeth into her shoulder with an unyielding need to own. Thrust my dick in hard and hungry. Take and give. Steal and reward. Except this moment warrants tenderness. She deserves gentleness and harmony.
With the water rising, I finally step aside and dip my hand into the warm water. “Perfect.” I flick droplets at her chest and grin when she giggles.
“Hey!”
“You’ll be soaking in minutes.” I laugh, slightly perturbed by my lightness of mood. I’ve been here before; well aware the sun sinks and darkness rules. “I’ll get in first, and then I want you in between my legs.”
Temperate bath water laps my thighs when I plunge in and pin my knees to the sides. “Your turn.” I hold out my hand expectantly. “Get in.”
Her eyes flash at the order. “Say please.” She smirks, already setting her palm on top of mine.
“Please get in the bath.” I yank her arm. “And sit on my dick.” She can have it whatever way she wants.
Stepping in, one foot at a time, she lowers her ass in front of my face and settles in the tight space. Her spine melts into my chest, allowing her head to rest on my shoulder. Small palms float to my knees when she stretches out her legs.
“I’ll stop the water, or we’ll flood the place.” Raen flicks her foot and nudges the lever.
Tranquility descends. My heartbeat pounds like the hands of time ticking towards the final hour. And then she asks a question and blows up my newfound happiness.
“Tell me about the woman you love.” Fingers dally down my thighs. “Was she the one?”
My eyes snap shut. “The one who broke my heart—yes.” There’s no point throwing glitter on the truth. “She was killed before I had the chance to make her my wife.”
“What was she like?”
“Sweet. Funny. Sexy—unattainable. She didn’t belong to me. We weren’t meant to be together.” Syrah sought freedom in death, and it caged me in a prison. Until now. Until Raen.
She doesn’t speak for a moment, only circling her nails on my knee. “Do you believe in fate?”
