Chapter 26
She’d wrappedher body around me, and she was trembling so hard, I didn’t think she’d be able to stand.
“It’s okay,” I whispered, burying my face in her neck. “He’s gone, and he’ll never hurt you again.”
We held each other like that, for I didn’t know how long before she finally calmed down. When she pulled back, she took my face in her hands, her eyes roaming over it. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
The sentence was barely out before she crushed her lips against mine. Her tongue delved inside my mouth. This kiss didn’t feel like any of the ones we’ve had so far. This one was hungry and desperate. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to sink into her—to lose myself.
I thought for sure I”d be too late, but she was alive, safe, and in my arms. I loved this woman, and I put every ounce of my soul into kissing her. When we broke away, we were both panting and gasping for air.
Her hands fisted into my shirt, and she brushed kisses along my neck. “I texted, and you didn’t text back. I thought…” She brought my mouth down to hers again and reignited another fiery kiss.
My lungs felt like they were on fire when I broke away. “My phone was being jammed, and I didn’t realize it.”
“Jammed?”
“We thought he was at Nocturnal, but it was a distraction. He thought we’d go in guns blazing, but he didn’t count on us having the brains to check the building before we went. There were cars out front. It looked like a party was going on. We used thermal equipment, and we could see people moving around in the basement and more on the ground floor. Come to find out, he was hoping we’d see the girls huddled together, start trying to help them, and then get caught in a gunfight.”
I kissed her forehead. “Which reminds me. I need to go take care of that. My siblings will only wait so long, and there is no way I’m not going to be there.”
“I want to come.”
“No.”
She whined. “But?—”
“No.”
“Why?”
I took her face in my hands and pressed kisses all over it. “Because you are innocent and sweet and all the things that make me smile. I don’t want that on you. I need the sun when I come home. I don’t want it eclipsed by evil.”
She covered my hands with hers. “All right.”
I looked at her. “That was too easy.”
Her eyes met mine, and I swallowed hard. This woman was diving into my soul, swimming in it, and I couldn’t breathe.
“You know, with enough sun, evil is burned away over time, right?” She smiled. “I plan to live a long time.”
My breath caught. I didn’t know if that applied to people, but the thought that it might, actually made me think that maybe one day I’d be worthy of her. “I have to go, okay?”
“Please be safe. This place really isn’t a home without you.” She held my gaze, desire flickering in her eyes.
“I will,” I whispered and set her feet on the floor. “I’ll see you in a little while.” I was crossing the room when the small giggle made me brace for whatever smart-mouth thing that came next.
“I’ll make sure to keep the bed warm for you.”
Don’t turn around. Don’t turn around. Don’t turn around.
I reached the door, fought hard against the need, and walked out of the condo.
That librarian had claws, and they were hooked in me good.