Page 39 of Saint’s Revenge

"Always yours," I tell him. "Even when we were apart. Even when I didn't know if I'd ever see you again. Always yours."

He kisses me then, and I kiss him back, tasting salt from both our tears, feeling the emotion pour between us. When we break apart, we're both panting.

"We should probably get up eventually," Lucas says, voice hoarse. "People are going to wonder where we are."

"Let them wonder." I trace patterns on his chest. "We've earned a few hours to ourselves."

"Fair point." He manages a small smile. "Though I'm pretty sure everyone already knows exactly where we are and what we've been doing."

Heat floods my face despite everything. "That obvious?"

"Baby, the walls in this place are thin as hell. You're not in the medical room anymore. And the bed creaking definitely wasn't helping our case." His smile gets wider. "Pretty sure half the clubhouse heard you screaming my name."

I bury my face in his chest, mortified. "Oh my god."

"Don't be embarrassed." He tilts my chin up. "I want everyone to know you're mine. Want them to hear how good I make you feel. Want there to be zero doubt about what we are to each other."

"Well. Good. Let them know."

"Riley Mason, are you trying to stake your claim on me?" He smirks.

"Fuck yes." He pulls me down for another kiss. "You're mine. I'm yours. Everyone in this clubhouse better get used to it."

We make out for a while longer. Slow and deep, hands wandering but not pushing for more. Just exploring. Reconnecting. Reminding ourselves this is real.

His hand slides down my side, over my hip, gripping my ass. I make a sound into his mouth and feel him smile.

"You like that?"

"I like everything you do," I admit breathlessly.

He kisses down my neck, over my collarbone, heading lower. But when his mouth reaches the bandages around my ribs, he stops. Presses a gentle kiss there instead.

"How bad does it hurt?" he asks.

"Honestly? Right now I barely feel it." I run my fingers through his hair. "Being with you makes everything else fade."

"You're going to feel it later."

"Worth it." I tug him back up for another kiss. "So worth it. I'd do it all again right now if I could."

We stay like that, kissing, touching, just being together, until I start to feel the stickiness between my thighs and the sweat cooling on my skin.

"I need a shower," I say reluctantly.

"Yeah." Lucas brushes hair off my face with infinite tenderness. "Probably a good idea."

I start to sit up, then pause. Look at him through my lashes. "Want to join me?"

His eyes darken immediately. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." I smile despite the tears still drying on my cheeks. "I'd love the company."

He's off the bed before I can blink, offering me his hand to help me up. I take it, letting him pull me. My ribs protest immediately but I breathe through it.

We walk to his bathroom hand in hand. Neither of us says anything. We don't need to. Everything that matters has already been said.

Lucas starts the shower, testing the water temperature before turning to me. "Ready?" he asks.