Page 127 of The Photograph

Has she been crying?What happened in the house?Aelin wraps her arms around my waist while Cara burrows in Mike’s arms.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

She raises eyes full of tears. “Cara and I were saying goodbye to Vania.”

I hold her tight as she lays her cheek on my chest and curl my fingers under her chin.

“Come home with me.”

Her smile shoots straight through my chest. “Yes.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Aelin

Work has quieted a little, so I have the whole week to myself. I zip up my bag with a smile.

A whole week with Gabe.

Once we’re at his house, he closes the door behind us and grabs my waist from behind.

“What’s my punishment for catching you?”

I shiver at the words spoken against the shell of my ear and curve my arm up around his neck. “I don’t want to punish you, honey. I want you to give me something.”

He twists me in his arms and kisses my neck. “What do you want, baby?”

After tugging his hand to lead him to his bedroom, I touch his chest. “Wait here.”

My heart racing, I run to his library and pick up the book on Kinbaku before returning to him.

“I want to do this… I mean I want you to do this with me.”

When I hand him the heavy volume, Gabe glances at the book, frowns, but makes no move to take it from me while his jaw clenches.

Oh crap. Oh crap.“I’m sorry… I… It’s a stup—”

In a swift flurry of motion, Gabe grabs the book, tosses it on the bed, and yanks me to him. I lock my gaze onto his as he cups my cheek and drills his dark eyes into mine.

“Aelin, baby, are you sure?”

I nod. “Does it hurt?” At the shake of his head, I loop my arms around his neck. “So, yes.”

Gabe’s stern expression softens. “If there’s anything you don’t like or that scares you, just say so.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

Will I like it?This looks so…My heart thunders in my ears as he strides to his walk-in wardrobe and pulls a slick, silver drawer. Swiping my damp palms on my pants, I bite my lip as he stalks back to me.

“Hold out your hands.”

When I do, Gabe places a purple-colored rope on my shaking, splayed fingers.

“Oh. I don’t know what I expected but… It’s so light. And soft.” I graze my thumbs over the rope. “And soft.”

Gabe cups my nape to haul my lips to his, and I close my eyes. The kiss ends way too soon, so I grip his t-shirt and raise on my tippytoes, mouth open.

“Fuck. Baby.” His growly voice births a full body shiver, and I moan while his hands and tongue set me on fire.

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