Page 70 of Dismantle & Prevail

Do not panic. Do not panic.

His tattooed hands brush against my face and he leans in, placing a gentle kiss to my lips. “Don’t panic. Just accept the fact that I love you and I’m not afraid to show it. Take your time because I will wait for eternity if that means I can ride off into the sunset with you in my arms.”

Damn this man.

Words fail me, and all I can do is nod.

Lucky for me, he doesn’t push as the car slows to a stop outside our hotel. “Now that that's been addressed. What do you say we go up to our room, order some pizza, and watch security footage from the event?”

“Aww, you do know the way to my heart,” I say, my hand moving to rest on my heart.

Ari places a quick kiss to my lips and smacks my ass. “Always Butterfly.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Aries

Taylorsitsnestledbetweenmy legs, her back pressed against my chest.

The second we got back to the hotel room, we headed straight for the shower and because I couldn’t help myself; I sank to my knees and almost got us a noise complaint.

Call me insatiable. I don’t care.

As Taylor’s concentration stays locked on her laptop, combing through footage from the masquerade ball, my hands kneed her neck and shoulders. My shirt hangs loose off her shoulder, giving me perfect access to beautifully decorated skin.

My phone lights up on the bed, a photo of Taylor looking out at the New York City sky, her dress flowing in the wind shines back at me as notifications come in at rapid speed.

Taylor pays no attention. Her gaze narrowed in on the computer.

Resting my arm on my bent knee, I unlock my phone and immediately breathe a sigh of relief as the texts come through.

Resilience Chat:

Andi: Guardian has successfully and discreetly executed the mission.

Noah: Atta girl Andi! I never doubted you for a second!

Andi: No one ever would Mr. Hayes. Aries. Thank you for the insight. A victim is asking us to find someone and she described her being with someone that looked an awful lot like you.

Glancing up from my phone, I brush my hand against Taylor’s face, grabbing her attention.

Her piercing green eyes turn to look at me.

Placing a quick kiss on her nose, I show her the text thread.

“Can I join the conversation?” she asks.

I nod, caging her in with my arms as I log into Resilience on her computer.

Resilience Chat:

Aries: Thank you Andi. I have a feeling I know who you are referring to so I’m going to hand the conversation over to my girlfriend Taylor.

Taylor’s head snaps back to look at me. “Girlfriend?”

“That’s what you are, Hellhound. I told you no going back once you said you were mine,” I say nonchalantly.

“Don’t you think you should ask first? I thought men of your age were supposed to be chivalrous.”