Page 37 of Fighting Salvation

“Are you saying you go when your time is right no matter what you do?”

Her palm rubbed gently over his heart and he placed his hand on top, keeping her touch close. “I don’t know what I’m saying.”

“I hope we have time.”

He could hear the exhaustion in her voice as she tried to smother the yawn and failed. He dropped a kiss to her head, pressing his lips to the silky strands and inhaling, as feelings so strong he lost his breath crashed over him. “Sleep, mo chroí.”

The silence of the night greeted him as she was already asleep. He’d always envied those who could simply switch their brain off and sleep like that. He had far too many demons crowding his brain for attention for him to ever be able to do the same, yet tonight, he did just that.

* * *

The next morning he woke with a face full of soft, silky hair and a warm body pressed against him. The urge to roll her to her back and finish what he’d started the previous night was like needles under his skin but it was early still and he wanted her rested.

Slipping out of bed, he stretched high and rocked his neck to ease the kinks. He felt rested which surprised him. Moving to the window, he could hear the sounds of parakeets echoing in the distance. This far out from the city the land was wild and harsh and filled with such utter beauty as it tried to reclaim what man had taken from it.

Flowers bright with colour and vibrancy bloomed and it reminded him of a happier time when his family thrived and each day was a new adventure. He’d been happy and he still couldn’t figure out the reason it was taken from him so brutally.

He heard the rustle of sheets but his eyes remained forward, lost in thought until her hands came around his waist, her palms resting on his chest. He placed his hands over the top of her much smaller ones and cocked his head to the side.

“Morning.”

A shy smile graced her pretty face and he lifted his arms to pull her around to his front. Looking at her, drinking in every tiny nuance of her face had become his new addiction. “Good morning, Valentina. Did you sleep okay?”

“Like a baby. You?”

“Yes.”

Her lips twitched and her nose wrinkled, showing off the dimples that he found strangely enticing. “You say it like you’re shocked.”

“I don’t sleep well.”

“Well, then, I’m glad I could help.”

Her arms came around his neck and she moved on tiptoes, tipping over as he locked his hands at the top of her ass, her head back as he bent and captured her lips with his. Standing with her like this, the beauty of South Africa behind him, it was easy for Bás to imagine an easier life with just them and no vendetta or threat chasing at his heels.

He broke the kiss and smiled. “Good morning to you, too.”

Before she could answer a loud cry had them breaking apart and looking at the door for a threat. Lotus cursed but he could sense even from where they were there wasn’t a threat to their safety but he did need to find out what was going on.

“I should go check that out and see what disaster awaits us this morning.”

“I’m going to grab a shower and I’ll meet you down there.”

A groan slipped past his lips. “Mo chroí, please don’t tease me with those kinds of visions.” He adjusted his hard cock in his trousers and her eyes dropped, interest and want shining brightly.

“Well, you’re the one who put a stop to the action, boss man.”

“Jesus Christ, don’t call me boss man when I have a hard-on.”

Val sauntered toward him, her hips having more sway as she did. “Why? Does it turn you on, handsome?”

Her voice was a purr and he saw the flicker of challenge in her eyes. She wanted to play and God knew he wanted to play too, but as the noise behind the closed door got louder, he knew he didn’t have the luxury.

He snatched her wrist and pulled her hard against his chest. Her feet tripped causing her to fall against him with a whoosh of air. “You’re playing with fire, little girl.” His voice was deep and her reaction was the sharp inhalation of breath. She liked it and Bás wanted nothing more than to explore that side but not when they were rushed. His head dipped and his teeth nipped at her neck. She gasped but when he licked at her skin, sucking it gently between his lips, she whimpered. How had he resisted her for so long?

“As much as I’d like to stay here and discuss your punishment for such insubordination, I need to go.” He released her and pushed her away with a slight tap on her ass. “Go, before I put you over my knee and show you exactly what happens to naughty girls.”

She sauntered toward the bathroom before looking back over her shoulder at him. “Was that a threat or a promise?”