Chapter 16

Shrouded in darkness, I sat deathly still.

Waiting. Watching.

My ears were tuned to every creak and groan; my eyes alert to each shift of the light. Hours had passed, yet there was still no sign of Ara?a's men. All afternoon I'd taken up residence in the chair, watching the shadows lengthen and creep up the walls until darkness enveloped the house.

I was certain they would come. But an hour had passed, then two. Time had steadily slipped away while I'd sat guard, never moving a muscle. My body was primed and ready for action. But my mind... My mind was back in the hotel room with Lily.

Guilt clutched at my throat and tightened the muscles between my shoulder blades. What I'd done was wrong, but it was the only way to keep her safe. Lily was too damn headstrong. She would rush in to help no matter the consequences. And I refused to allow her to put herself in danger. Not for me. I didn't deserve her nurturing. I'd brought evil to her door; it was my responsibility to make sure she was safe. Even if she hated me for it.

The words she'd thrown my way had cut deeper than any knife. The pain of hearing her say she hated me, that she wished she'd never met me, was worse than any torture. But I deserved no less. Had I never stumbled up to her door, she would be safe and completely unaware of the evils that lurked close by.

Still, I couldn't bring myself to regret a single thing. I'd enjoyed every moment of my time with her, and I'd carry a part of her in my heart for the rest of my days. The memory of her compassion and caring would keep me warm when I was long gone, far away and all alone once more.

I adjusted my grip on the knife that rested at my side. It was the same one I'd pulled from Lily's knife block a week ago, and I hadn't let it out of my sight for a moment since. Ara?a's men still hadn't shown, and I now I had to wonder... Was I overthinking things?

Maybe the man I'd seen at Lily's floral shop was just a random kid. Of course, the fact that he'd run was an admission of guilt in itself. But the question was why?

Keeping my back to the wall, I skirted the house and peered out the windows for the dozenth time. I'd cracked the window earlier so I could listen for any approaching sounds. Creatures called to one another within the woods surrounding her house, letting me know that everything was safe.

I sighed and rubbed my temples. Had I been wrong all along? Guilt pressed in on me from every side. I hated feeling this way. In fact, I'd never felt it before. I'd always been so sure of myself, justified any action I carried out. But with Lily it was different. She was good and pure, and I'd betrayed her trust.

A pang of regret ricocheted through my heart. I wasn't sure why it bothered me so much. In the past, I'd completed my job and walked away. But Lily wasn't a job. She was... A complication.

Every encounter with her left me rattled, unsure of every move I made. I knew she was attracted to me—but what I hadn't counted on was the passion that had exploded between us like gunpowder.

I'd assumed whatever I felt for her was born from protectiveness; I now wondered if I had made a serious miscalculation. I wanted her with a desperation that worried me. I never lost my head over anything, let alone a woman. But how could I walk away from something so potent?

It would be wrong of me to take her to bed when I planned to leave soon. But she was single, as was I. Perhaps we could ease the ache of loneliness for just a bit—if she allowed me into her bed.

I snorted. Like that would happen after this afternoon. She was probably just waiting for me to get back so she unleash that epic redheaded temper on me. Despite the severity of the situation, I couldn't help but smile at the thought.

I didn't want to be away from Lily longer than necessary, so I closed and locked the windows, then retraced my steps to the garage. All the while, I kept a sharp eye and ear on my surroundings. It seemed I was bound to be disappointed, because nothing happened the entire way back to Briarleigh.

I quietly let myself into the suite, and my feet automatically carried me in the direction of Lily's room. I paused next to the bed, my heart beating hard in my chest. I'd needed to know she was safe, and the worry that clutched at my throat began to subside.

She was asleep, and I took a moment to study her. Her features were slightly pinched, as if worry plagued her, even in sleep. My gaze drifted over the contours of her pretty face, and my heart clenched at the sight of the trail of dried tears that stained her cheeks. She was always so damn strong; seeing her this way cut me to the quick.

As if she sensed my presence, her eyes flew open. Her body jerked, then stilled as recognition set in. Her gaze narrowed hatefully, then widened slightly at the sight of the knife in my hand. She writhed away from me, a scream penetrating the gag around her mouth.

"Lily, relax."

She shrieked as I reached for her, eyes rolling with terror. Figuring it was better to just get it over with, I sliced through one binding around her wrist, then the other. Her body shook and she ripped the gag off as I removed the bindings from her ankles. She rubbed at her wrists, grimacing as her fingers slid over the abraded flesh.

"Lily…"

Her head swiveled toward me, the expression on her face rooting my feet to the floor. It was like watching a pot of water begin to boil. Her body trembled as her temper started low, then expanded upward until it exploded outward with a shriek of rage.

She was on me seconds later, like a lion pouncing on its prey. "You asshole!"

Her fists pummeled me, and I dodged to my left, narrowly avoiding a broken nose. "Goddamn it, Lily, stop!"

I tossed the knife to the floor, not wanting her to accidentally be cut.

"How fucking dare you?" she screamed. "You left me tied to the bed... All alone!"

I allowed her to vent her rage, her blows barely making an impact as she cursed me over and over. "You son of a bitch, I hate you!"

Suddenly she gave a heaving sob and collapsed. I caught her around her waist and pulled her to me. "Shhh... You're okay."

Her gasping breaths tore at my soul, and I clutched her close, holding her shuddering body as she cried. I settled on the edge of the bed, cradling her on my lap. "Everything's okay."

"I thought... you weren't... coming back." The broken words fell from her lips between heart-wrenching sobs.

I tightened my hold and kissed her temple. "Of course I was coming back. I would never leave you like that."

She shook her head and sniffed. "I thought... It got dark and... I was worried you were…"

Her voice cracked again as she broke off, but I picked up enough details. She'd thought I was dead. My heart twisted again with guilt. "They can't kill me."

"They... t-tried."

I tightened my hold on her. "But they didn't succeed. And they won't. I'll protect you."

She rallied enough to punch me in the chest. "You stupid ass." She sniffled. "You c-could've died!"

I couldn't believe what she was saying. No one ever cared what happened to me, not even myself. "You were worried about me?"

Her brows drew together and she smacked me again. "Idiot."

I captured her small hand and enfolded it within my own. "No one's ever worried about me before," I said quietly.

She tipped her head up to peer at me, tears glistening in her pretty blue eyes. Anger lingered in the depths, but it was overshadowed by sheer desperation and grief. It ripped at my heart, and I curled my fingers into the flesh of her hip.

Lifting her hand, I examined her wrist. A bright red line bloomed over her pale flesh where the rope had cut into her skin. Dipping my head, I pressed my lips to the abrasion, gently kissing her soft skin.

I released her hand, and she settled it on my shoulder. She was no longer fighting me, her body curled into mine. Her breasts brushed my chest, and I could feel the rise and fall of her lungs as she dragged in a shaky breath.

Lust pooled in my groin, and my cock swelled against her bottom. I shifted her slightly, and her teeth cut into her bottom lip as my arousal pressed to the soft spot between her legs. Her nails dug into my shoulders, and her lips parted slightly, a delicate flush spreading across her cheeks.

I framed her face with my hand as desire took root deep in my belly. I swept my thumb over her bottom lip, and her gaze dropped to my mouth. She met me halfway as I leaned in, and our mouths clashed in a fiery kiss. I palmed her breast through her shirt and she wriggled restlessly.

Alarm bells went off in the back of my head. This was wrong. I wanted her so badly, and yet… I couldn't take advantage of her knowing I'd be gone soon. "Lily…"

I broke the kiss, but she pulled my head down for another, halting my protest. She swept her tongue over mine, arching her breast into my palm, and I growled. In one smooth motion, I flipped her to her back on the bed.

Her eyes flared wide, then fell hooded again beneath those dark lashes. Her shirt had ridden up, exposing the soft flesh of her stomach, and I traced small circles there with my thumb. "I can't stay here," I said quietly.

I would have to leave eventually. It was only a matter of time before someone tracked me here, and I refused to put Lily in danger. Shoving down the pain, I met her gaze. "I can't promise you anything other than tonight."

She stared at me for a long moment, the silence grating on my nerves. Finally she reached for me. "Then give me tonight."

Her hands curled into my shirt, pulling me to her, and I went willingly. I would make the most of this moment and carry it with me the rest of my life.