Page 60 of Savagely Yours
“I guess I’ll stop by to see her another time,” he added.
“No need.” I tipped my chin at Ronan. “And you, don’t lurk. It’s weird.”
None of us moved.
They would have to kill me to get inside Larke’s apartment. Even if they succeeded, all three of us would die together in herdoorway. It wasn’t the way I would want her to find my body, but once she saw who I was with, she would understand.
“All right, then.” Neal nodded. “Let’s go, Ronan.”
Ronan pushed up off the wall.
They headed for the stairs, and I turned to watch them go, sending them off with a slight wave and a grin. They would be back, and when they returned, I would be waiting for them. I was bad enough as a normal man, but love was turning me into a monster.
Once they were out of sight, I opened Larke’s door knocker to reveal a hidden compartment. At the moment, it was empty, but I had two keys to Larke’s place. I left one key inside the door knocker, closed it, and entered the unit.
A lantern soothed the harshness of the shadowy interior, and I noticed that she no longer slept in complete darkness. I’d kept candles lit at my place so that, when she woke up, she would see me next to her. However, I would make sure that oil or batteries remained on my shopping list so she never went without at least one source of illumination.
The studio was only so big, measuring at just under four hundred square feet. I removed the uniform, undressing down to the tank and pair of shorts I always wore underneath. Then I walked over, drew back the curtain that created her “bedroom” space, and there she was.
The dim light cascaded off her skin, her shiny black bra, and a pair of red cotton panties. Elongated twists fell to the base of her neck. Mae had braided her hair when she was sick, and I wondered whether these twists were Mae’s handiwork as well.
Jesus, this woman was beautiful.
My heart pounded hard in my chest as I sat on the bed and trailed my fingers down her arm. My hand shook, and this had to be an illness of some sort. It felt wrong, wanting her like this. Asthough, if she ever found out, she would be disgusted, disturbed, or concerned.
This had to be what it meant to be “gone” over someone.
I traced my way to her stomach, continuing to her hips and down her thighs. She was much thinner now, but I didn’t give the slightest damn. She was still my Tapley, as lovely as a cherry blossom, who made me laugh, stare, linger, and dream.
“I love you,” I said.
I would die a coward.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t tell this woman how I felt when she was awake.
I couldn’t figure out if I was worried she wouldn’t feel the same way, a tale as old as time. There was also the possibility that I was worried my feelings would become one more thing she needed to survive. Love was turning me into a weapon with a heartbeat that morphed and grew each time intrusive thoughts whispered,“What if someone tries to take her away?”
“Hey, Tapley,” I called. “Wake up, sweetheart. I know it’s early, but I waited as long as I possibly could.”
Her eyes opened.
She stretched.
When she noticed me, she smiled, and little did she know how she would have destroyed me had she leaped into my arms at that very moment. But then she hopped up and rushed me, circling her arms around my neck. I caught her around the waist and brought her down onto my lap, guiding her legs around my midsection.
“Dez…” She brushed her nose along my neck and kissed my shoulder. “You don’t know how happy I am to see you. I missed you.”
“Is this your first time missing me?” I asked, stroking her back.
“You know it’s not.”
“Well, this is the first time I’ve gotten this enthusiastic of a greeting.”
“I’ll do better.”
Even my voice sounded different. “No, this is perfect.”
There was no way she didn’t feel how fast and hard my heart was beating. That part, I didn’t clearly understand. I already loved her, but it did make me wonder whether there were tiers to love. If I was only on the first or second level, I couldn’t fathom my infatuation getting any worse.
