Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
It sounds like heavy breathing.
Heart pounding, I freeze. I watch and listen for movement, but there’s nothing but the sound of ragged exhalations.
The armory door is ajar. I ease closer and find Silas inside.
Rather than working like he always is, he’s on a bench against the far wall, hunched over. His elbows are braced on his knees, and his hands are locked on the sides of his head so tightly that his knuckles are white. His chin is tucked, like he’s bracing for impact.
Another crack of thunder splits the air, and his whole body jerks.
“Silas,” I say gently.
He doesn’t look up. “Don’t. You shouldn’t be here.” He sounds like he’s short of breath.
This isn’t the same man who avoids eye contact. He isn’t responding with his usual cold distance or professional withdrawal. There’s something raw and exposed about him right now.
Another round of thunder hits, close enough that the sound seems to roll through the walls. Silas’s shoulders lock, and his breath stutters.
I step inside and close the door behind me.
His head snaps up, but he doesn't meet my eyes. “I said don’t.”
I keep my voice quiet, even. “I hear you.”
“You’re not listening.” His eyes are too bright as they scan past me like he’s tracking something that isn’t there. “This isn’t—” He cuts himself off and draws in a heavy breath. “You should go.”
He might not want someone with him, but he needs someone.
Another thunder clap, lower this time, and longer. I can imagine it sounding like artillery fire.
Silas’s breathing is shallow. His fingers flex with tension.
“You’re here,” I say softly. “You’re safe.”
He lets out a humorless laugh.
I take another step. “I’m not going to leave you alone like this.”
Another burst of thunder. Silas swears under his breath.
I reach for him and cautiously set a hand on his forearm.
He inhales sharply, his body stiffening. “Kira—”
“I know,” I whisper.
His throat works as he swallows. “I can’t—”
“You don’t have to say anything,” I say. “Just don’t shut me out.”
He grips my wrist and holds tight, but as thunder rolls again, longer this time, something in him breaks. He pulls me in roughly, like he’s afraid I’m about to disappear. He presses his face to mine, his mouth at my cheek, his breath harsh and hot on my skin.
I hold him tightly, hoping my touch can ground him and give him what he needs to get through the storm.
We hold each other through the quiet and then through another round of thunder. Silas’s body twitches, but he keeps holding on. A minute later, when the next boom lands, he’s still, except for a breath shuddering out of him.
He pulls away, looks into my eyes, then gazes down at his hand that’s still holding my arm. His fingers flex, but he doesn’t let go.
“I’m here for you,” I whisper. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”
His blue eyes meet mine again, searching.
His hand lets go of my wrist, only to wrap around the back of my head, his fingers burrowing into my hair. His beard brushes my face, and his mouth finds mine, desperate and wanting.
The kiss is nothing like I’ve shared with the others. It’s urgent and fractured. Emotion bleeds through every movement, and every point of contact. His teeth sink into my lower lip as his fingers dig into my arm. His hands tremble where they grip me, and I kiss him back, even as his mouth bruises mine.
When he breaks away, still breathing hard, I hold onto him like that’s the only thing either of us needs.
“Don’t disappear on me,” I murmur.
He grips me tighter.
The storm rages outside, thunder booming again and again, but inside the armory, everything narrows to the two of us.
Somewhere between one jagged breath and the next, my sweater is gone. Silas centers me on the bench, then drops to his knees in front of me. His mouth is savage at my breast, his teeth scraping over my skin. He sucks my nipples hard and squeezes handfuls of flesh in his palms, making me pant and cry out with need.
Just as suddenly, he stops moving. He breathes me in, then licks softly, soothing, sliding his hands around my body to unclasp my bra, his movements full of care.
He has me off kilter, but I’m exactly where I want to be.
I want him to use my body. I want him to take whatever he needs.
“Kira—”
I frame his head in my hands, sliding my fingers through his hair. “Don’t think, Silas. Just be.”
His breath is hot at my breast. I bring my hands back to the bench and curl my fingers around the edge to anchor myself. Whatever happens next will be his move.
If he leaves, I won’t try to stop him.
Looking me over, he makes a sound that’s low and broken. His hands come to my thighs and tighten, fingers digging into flesh.