Page 128 of Deacon

I spotted women on the sidewalk checking him out, and a wave of pride hit me at the thought that he was with me.

When we reached my front door, he bent down and kissed each eyelid. I almost whimpered, desperate to drag him inside the house. But I only clasped the lapels of his jacket, holding on as our gazes clashed and flared.

I wanted him to stay, even though the sensible thing was to let him walk away.

To beg him to hold me, make love to me, to bring me to ecstasy, to forget the past, the pain and the angst.

To immerse ourselves in bliss.

However, I had to fix myself first, step by step, so my damage would never tear him down again.

‘Get inside, beautiful, before I lose my shit.’

At his commanding growl, I turned, opened the door, and stepped into the house.

I closed it halfway and stood in the gap as we locked eyes again for a long time; then he stroked my cheek before prowling away.

DEACON

My cabby navigated the slick London asphalt toward The Soho Hotel.

I leaned my head against the leather headrest, tracking the neon city lights through the glass as my pulse raced.

The entire evening had been a fever dream, a gravity-defying state I hadn’t experienced in a decade.

Hell, I was floating.

Fuck, it’d been a legendary night, and I intended to repeat the experience a thousand times over.

I’d spent the night love-struck, unable to comprehend my luck that she was warming up to the idea of us and opening her heart to me again.

My hope soared sky-high after she declared she wanted me as much as I did her.

Damn, she welcomed every touch and kiss.

I’d missed how she used to stroke my face the way she did, making me feel precious, cherished.

My skin still burned where her fingertips brushed my neck.

I craved her mouth against mine, losing my mind imagining the moment I’d get her back beneath me.

My imagination spiraled, picturing her control snapping piece by piece.

I wanted her hips locked underneath me, my mouth trailing down her throat as my kisses dragged moans from her lush lips.

I couldn’t wait to remind her why I was the best she ever had, to love on her until she screamed my name at the top of her lungs, till her nails sank into my shoulders and left welts down my back.

I’d make her fly higher than she ever had, feel bliss like never before, and forget everything in between.

She would have no doubt that no other woman on this planet compared to her.

For she remained unsurpassed in my world, and my path ahead appeared freakin’ bright with Ana back in it.

Chapter 26

ANA

With the memory of Deacon’s arms still lighting me up, I climbed onto my sofa and nestled under the one duvet left in my empty house.