Page 76

“There’s my bird,” I muttered in awe, still too shocked to do much else.

She laughed, her voice husky with disuse. “Why are you crying, Silas? Who hurt my big silly brute?”

My eyes widened as she reached up and brushed away the surprising wetness around my eyes. Her gentle fingers wiped away what they could, but it was as if the mere touch of her released every bit of emotion I’d been smothering for two weeks. Hell, ever since meeting this goddess.

“You had me bloody fucking scared, little rebel. I thought that even with you here in my arms, I’d already lost you to another cruel twist of fate,” I told her candidly.

She used what little strength she had to grab my face and tug me down. “Then kiss me already. Make this real for both of us.”

With a sneaky grin, I dragged her closer and devoured her mouth, soothing every bit of fear I’d felt over the days spent wondering if I’d ever hear her sweet voice or feel her soft lips on mine again. I groaned and held her close, plenty happy to take things where they always went—where I needed them to go with my knob standing at attention.

Nika seemed to regain her strength quickly, straddling my lap and sliding her hands into my hair. It was a dream to kiss her again. I even worried for a second it might be. What if my terrible brain was playing a nasty trick on me, and any moment now, I’d wake with her still unconscious on my chest?

Her soft moan snapped me out of the thought. “I love you, you big gorgeous idiot. I worried I wasn’t going to be able to say that again. I love you.”

“Oi,” I murmured against her smiling mouth, dick throbbing. I was two words from fucking her no matter who heard or saw it. “Don’t be all sweet and barbs on me, little rebel. I won’t be able to control myself.”

She drew away, a bloody adorable smile on her face. “Isn’t that the point?” Her blue eyes glinted. “And hey, don’t you have anything to say to me?”

This dangerously sexy woman would be the end of me.

One of my hands sunk into her silky hair, and the other wrapped around her back so she could feel just what she did to me. I yanked her head back and bit her curved throat, trailing kisses up to her ear. “I love you more than words can express and more than lifetimes can prove. No matter what you do, no matter where you go, no matter what you become, I’ll always be yours, Nika.”

Her eyes blazed into mine, tears escaping. “A simple ‘I love you, too’ would’ve sufficed, asshole.”

Snickering, I stole a kiss and whispered, “Maybe for you, but not for me, love. I hope you’re ready for everything I’ll do to make sure you never forget it.”

Nika giggled and wrapped her arms around my neck. “Oh? My memory’s a bit fuzzy. Better start now.”

Was my bird…seducing me? On purpose? Bloody hell, if this was a dream I never wanted to wake up. Lilith’s clever illusion had won me over.

“Lilith’s tits,” I groaned and thrust against her, nearly forgetting about the wankers waiting down the hall.

She was finally mine again. I could touch and kiss her as much as I’d like. Fuck her until all she could say was my name. Bask in the sweet glow of our love.

I kissed my rebel darling with abandon, bent on showing her exactly what she meant to me. Until the bellow of a nitwit put an end to any hope I had for keeping her to myself.

“Pretty girl’s awake!” the mutt cried out, summoning the other two within seconds.

For fuck’s sake. I’m about to make an absolute arse out of myself…

32

Nika

The first thing I registered when I roused was the strong body I knew better than my own. Then his rich scent came next. I’d come out of everything alive, and so had Silas.

I didn’t have time to grieve Salvator with the mercenary kissing away all thoughts in my head. I wanted to crawl inside the little world he created with his touch and live there forever. I couldn’t get enough of his taste as I tugged him closer and swiveled my hips in invitation.

It might be my attempt at a much-needed distraction from the reality of what I’d done, but I’d been so scared to lose him. That I’d lose it all. And I’d been hellbent to bury myself in hisall-consuming touches before the voice carrying down the hall stopped me.

My head twisted and found Ryker, no longer transparent or phantom-like. My brows pinched together when I glanced at Silas and noticed he could hear and see him as well. Then came the other two. Lev and Tometi were separated by what seemed like several feet. The giant had to bend his head just to come into the room behind the dancing blonde.

“For fuck’s sake,” Silas grumbled. “She’s awake. You’ve seen. Now get the bloody hell out of here before I find boxes for all three of you and bury you at least six feet under.”

I opened my mouth, but Lev was already next to me, ignoring the entire awkward straddling Silas situation. He checked me over with a little item in his hand. My eyes narrowed on it.

When he noticed, he winked and showed it off like a prized possession. “One of many spoils I scored off Min.”