Page 41 of Fighting Salvation

Her eyes blazed and he knew that he’d probably said the wrong thing. Especially when Lotus winced as she sat watching them, munching away like it was fucking movie she was watching.

“Well, I’m not nearly as mysterious as I thought I was.”

Lotus snorted and Val glared at her too as she held her hands up and motioned zipping her lips.

“Valentina, I need to go alone.”

“No.”

“No? You can’t tell me no. I’m the fucking boss.”

Val wrenched out of his arms and crossed them over her middle. If she was mad before, now she was shooting flames. It was fucking magnificent and in any other situation, he’d have hurled her over his shoulder and found the nearest flat surface so he could feel every inch of it.

“Oh, the boss are you? Well, how about this. Shove your job up your ass. I’m coming with you so fucking get used to it.”

He rolled his lips between his teeth as he tried to find the patience he was rapidly losing. “Val, you can’t just quit every time we don’t agree on something.”

She poked him in the chest. “Watch me, buster.”

He fought the urge to kiss her if only to stop her from talking, but Lotus was still there. “Lotus, can you give us a minute?”

She pouted but did as he asked, going inside to probably tell the others they were having a slanging match.

“Val, I know it might be a trap but I have to go.”

“I’m not telling you not to go. I just want to go too so you’re safe and because I know how hard this will be for you.”

It struck him then. She didn’t want to go to be obstinate, she wanted to protect him because she cared. “You really care, don’t you?”

She almost rolled her eyes. “Of course I care. I love you, dumbass.”

If a heart could explode with happiness his would be all over South Africa right now. A growl left his lips as he realised what she meant to him. “Get your ass over here.”

She moved closer so she was within reach and he hauled her into his arms. He studied her and his belly dipped as he ran his palm over her throat, feeling her pulse beating wildly. “I love you too, mo chroí.”

“You do?”

Her vulnerability shredded him and he never wanted her to ever have to doubt his word again because he’d make sure she always knew what she was to him. “More than I ever thought possible. Letting you into my heart was easy and a battle I lost the moment I met you. Admitting it and wearing my heart outside my chest was the hard part for me, Valentina.”

“I know it’s scary, Niall.”

He chuckled. “It’s terrifying, but I wouldn’t change it now.”

“If not me, then let the team go and have your back.”

“How about you shut up and kiss me instead?”

“You trying to distract me?” Her lips were against his as she spoke and his eyes closed savouring every second of her.

“Maybe.”

Her husky laugh slipped down his throat as he laid claim to her lips. He’d longed for her for so long that it was like unleashing a torrent as he put every emotion into the kiss, his tongue tasting every inch of her and wanting more.

Applause from the other side of the deck made him pull away and curse. “Fuck’s sake.”

Val laughed and it filled his heart with joy and he knew he wanted to spend forever being the one to make her laugh. He wanted it all and it still terrified him but he could be brave for this.

Lotus cocked her head. “So we going to kick Hansen’s ass?”