Page 105 of Ravaged Soul

Every moment I’ve dreamed of this condenses into a rush of unfiltered satisfaction, eliminating the agony that’s kept us apart. The boy who once made me smile and laugh as a sad kid is the man laying claim to my body now.

And it feels oh-so fucking right.

He was always meant to be mine.

We don’t even break apart at the light tap on the door, signalling an interruption. To his credit, Warner nuzzles into myneck when the door clicks open, allowing me to blink through my haze-covered vision.

“Apologies,” Hyland rumbles from the doorway. “But Tom’s ready for you, and I can’t keep Jamie back much longer if you want to go in first.”

“For fuck’s sake.” Warner shoots him a displeased look.

I squeeze his bicep before lightly pushing him back. “It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. I can’t go in there like this.”

“Why not?”

Gaze averted, Warner shifts to adjust himself. A flush creeps over my cheeks at the knowing look on Hyland’s face, watching us de-tangle from each other as his team leader deals with his now-obvious arousal.

“All good?” Hyland asks slyly.

“Mind your own business.” Warner glares at him.

“Ember is my business. Upset her again and my fist will be having words with your face, chain of command be damned.”

“Well, likewise.”

“Guys,” I protest weakly.

Hyland leisurely winks at me. “What?

“We’ve had enough fighting.”

“Relax, Em. I won’t break his pretty little nose just for your benefit. And he won’t get close enough to break mine without losing another limb.”

“Dickhead,” Warner chunters.

“Nah. That would be Madden.”

“On this we agree.”

At the reminder of the spiralling disaster that is our honorary fifth team member, I can’t help but groan. Both men sober, exchanging a long look.

“I’ll go find him.” Hyland visibly deflates after their silent debate.

“You will?” I blink up at him.

“Sure, why not? He’s probably just off licking his wounds somewhere. It won’t be hard to track the idiot down and drag him back here to do his fucking job.”

“Thank you.” My smile feels forced, painful.

“For the record, if I’d been the one to walk into that bathroom… he’d have a lot more than a broken nose to worry about. So be thankful that it was Warner and not me.”

With that ominous threat, Hyland departs the room. I watch him go with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Perhaps it’s best if Blaine decides not to come back. I can’t exactly blame him for making himself scarce.

“This is a disaster.” I rub the tight knot forming between my brows. “It was simpler when I was held captive and didn’t have a choice about anything.”

“Not funny, Em.” Warner cringes.