Page 153 of The Truths We Burn

Her back arches off the table, trying to pull away from me, but I continue to pump my seed into her depths, still moving my fingers.

Clear fluid spurts onto my lower abdomen, her cunt washing over me as her second orgasm shatters her. I groan harshly as she tightens down.

The room is filled with ragged breaths as we both remain in this state of bliss, her body riding the aftershock of her climax.

I keep myself inside of her as I lean down, pressing soft kisses onto the mauled skin of her neck. Emotion mixes with the high of my lust as my tongue swirls around the marks I left, tasting the salty sweat on her skin.

Instead of asking like I did last time, I make it a statement that isn’t up for negotiation.

“I’m keeping you,” I say with a dry voice in desperate need of hydration.

Her fingers sink into my hair, tugging at the ends slightly, and I can feel her lips tilt into a smile.

“You’ve always had me, Rook. Always.”

Sage

One more day.

We had a plan, and it’s finally time to execute it.

This had been a long time coming, and the finality of it sticks to the air like rotting meat. It follows me around, nagging me.

I wanted it done today, but we had to wait for Alistair, who was spending the day with Briar at her uncle’s for his birthday. Had to make sure there was a balance between revenge and love.

I’d learned over my time being around them that Alistair had a need for needing to be around when things went down. Not just because he had control issues or needed to be in charge, but because if things went badly, he wanted to be the one to take the fall. To be the one that got them out of trouble and away from any harm. That’s who he is to them.

The older protector.

The protector.

Their constant shadow.

And I respect him for that, even if he still hasn’t warmed up to me. Actually, none of them have really warmed up, especially Thatcher. He’s made it very clear that he’s not a fan of mine.

But that’s okay because Rook has.

Rook is on fire for me, and I intend on being the oxygen to continue fueling those flames.

It had been a few days since the Spring Luncheon, and I don’t think there had been a moment he’d spent outside of my body. And I was more than okay with that.

Even amongst all the turmoil and chaos that was happening around us, we had found our own little haven between the cracks, living and breathing in the moments where it was just us.

I hadn’t realized just how much I was missing before due to us not being able to be out in public together. Now I can openly gawk at him when he walks into a room or sit beside him in class if I want.

We are together.

And I’ve never felt more alive, even in a time when I was going through so much sorrow. I know I have him, and I no longer have to face the darkness alone, because he is the light that never goes out. And it’s all mine.

It amazes me how we’re all still living such normal lives, all the while such sinister plans are in the making. That despite the wickedness that is happening, we’re able to make something beautiful from it.

“It’ll only be a minute, I promise. I just need to change clothes,” I tell Lyra, who walks behind me up the sidewalk to Silas’s home.

Rook still wants me staying there, just until Frank meets his end.

“What’s wrong with the outfit you’re wearing? We’re just going to Tilly’s.”

“I’ve been wearing this skirt all day, and I am desperate for a pair of leggings. It’ll take two seconds tops.”