that I was left with after claiming my four Night Keepers together. “I love you, Cinders.” He nuzzled my neck and I moaned lightly, pushing my fingers into his wet hair.
“I love you too, golden boy,” I breathed and he sighed, closing his eyes as he relished those words. I carved my fingers over his face and into his hair, my soul rising to the surface of my flesh for this boy. “I love every ray of sunshine that’s housed in your skin, I love that each one burns into me and makes me feel lighter than air. But I love your darkness too, the shadowy side of you that lurks beneath that sweetly cruel exterior. I want both halves of you, Blake Bowman, because they make you real. They make you a villain and a hero. A god and a devil. The creature in between it all is the most tempting, beautiful man. And he’s mine.”
“Fuck, sweetheart, how am I ever gonna live up to your love? It’s too fucking pure,” he growled, pulling me closer.
“You already have,” I said firmly, drawing him into a passionate kiss.
We didn’t leave the bathroom for nearly half an hour as Blake decided to make me come once more with his mouth and hands before he let me go. And when we returned to the living room in sweats, I was feeling thoroughly satisfied and aching all over in the best way. The others were dressed too, clearly having all used Saint’s bathroom.
My gaze drifted to the door as I had the urge to go and find Mila, hug her and tell her I was okay. But if I did that, I knew I’d be putting her at risk. Troy Memphis was too dangerous a man to put her in the line of his fire. The knowledge of my whereabouts was best to remain within these walls until we could figure out how to get him off our backs. I just didn’t know what we were going to do long-term. I couldn’t stay holed up here forever.
“We’re going to need to work out some new ground rules. I’m not living this caveman way where our girl is grabbed by whichever neanderthal gets to her first,” Saint commanded, his ankle balanced on his knee as he pushed his hand through his tightly curling hair.
“Agreed,” Monroe said and they exchanged a look as Blake and Kyan shared one of their own that said they preferred the caveman lifestyle.
“That kinda seems like a you guys issue, so I’m gonna get some food,” I said, grinning as I headed to the kitchenette and took out some bread to make a sandwich, my stomach growling loudly. “Anyone want one?”
“Me.”
“Me.”
“Me.”
“I shall have smashed avocado spread on toasted rye,” Saint said and I looked over my shoulder at them all with an arched eyebrow.
“Well I’m gonna need a hand for all those, kay? I’m not your servant anymore,” I said lightly and Monroe jumped up, seeming more than happy to help as he joined me and grabbed the mayo from the fridge, placing a kiss behind my ear that made my heart flutter.
“Anyone wanna go for a run soon?” Blake asked, stretching his arms above his head.
“Do you ever run out of energy?” Saint inquired and Blake laughed.
“Nope,” he said, pushing out of his seat and heading to the closest window which was covered by a blind. “I hope it’s not raining anymore…” I heard him open it as I buttered some bread and he swore loudly, making me turn around in surprise.
My heart stalled as I took in what looked like red paint on the window, the word mine written in thick letters across the glass. As the sun came out from behind a dark cloud, it cast the Temple in a deep red glow. My gut knotted and my breathing came unevenly. What the fuck?
Saint’s knuckles were turning white where they were fisted on the arms of his chair, his face fixed in a steely mask. He stood abruptly, marching upstairs without a word and Kyan pushed out of his seat, looking ready to murder the next person who came close to him.
“Is it the Justice Ninja?” I asked what everyone was surely thinking, my heart thrashing in my chest. How could they know I was here? We’d kept all the blinds closed. I hadn’t been outside. It wasn’t possible. And yet…
Monroe took my hand, his jaw ticking furiously as he caught my attention. “You’re safe here, princess.”
“I