Faith felt an instant and profound sense of relief. If Kieran said Matt was safe, then he was.
And she was being given a second chance. “Kieran, I - ”
“Sssshhh,” he repeated. “It’s been a hell of a day. Just let me hold you, Faith. Please.”
There was something in Kieran’s voice. A quiet, heartfelt plea that was impossible to ignore. He’d made a simple request, but Faith could sense him holding his breath, as if what she chose to do or say next was monumentally important.
Kieran was in Georgia. At least she thought they were still in Georgia. They could be anywhere, really, and she wouldn’t be the wiser. She had no memory of what happened after those few horrible moments with her mother... or the woman she had believed was her mother.
Faith felt herself tensing up again and shut her eyes tight against those images, concentrating instead on the warmth of Kieran’s skin, the unique male scent of him, the feel of his body wrapped protectively against hers. The things she never thought she’d get to experience again. It felt like she was finally home.
It was then that she knew. Really knew. Finally understood what Kieran had been trying to tell her all along.
He would always be there for her, no matter what. No matter what she said, or what she did. No matter how many times she tried to fool herself into thinking otherwise, this was the real truth of it.
Things like where they came from, what kind of education they had, the jobs they held – they meant absolutely nothing. They were simply circumstances. Circumstances, she realized, that had conspired over time to bring them to this exact moment. Right here, right now.
Every muscle in her body relaxed as a soothing warmth spread through her and her mind grew calm.
Everything really was going to be okay.
*
Kieran held his breath and closed his eyes, offering silent prayers without even realizing he was doing so. Faith had been entrusted to him. To love. To cherish. To protect. He would do all those things and pay for the privilege, but it sure would be easier if she understood and accepted it.
Several tense moments passed, then he felt her relax. As if magically commanded, every soft curve of her body conformed perfectly to his much harder planes. He felt a delicate whoosh of warm, moist air against his collarbone as Faith released the breath she’d been holding, too. And her arm wound its way around his waist, settling on his back, holding him to her as if he might be the one to decide to move away.
Kieran knew then that at least for now, his prayers had been answered.
Chapter Twenty
Faith tried to extract herself from Kieran’s locked embrace (he was a full-body contact sleeper), earning herself a low, rumbling growl of denial.
“Kieran,” she said quietly. “It’s been nearly eighteen hours since I’ve... well, I really have to use the bathroom.”
One eye popped open, a luminous blue surrounded by thick black lashes, reminding Faith once again how incredibly gorgeous he was. She offered him what she hoped was a sincere, yet desperate, smile.
“You’re not leaving,” he rumbled. It was not a question, but a statement.
“No,” she said, fighting the oddest urge to grin at his grumpy command, instinctively adding, “I promise.”
Kieran gave a grunt, a sound so masculine it couldn’t possibly have been generated by anything with doubleX chromosomes, and released the steel trap of his arms. “You’ve got five minutes.”
“Ten,” she countered, scooting away quickly in case he decided to change his mind. “Maybe fifteen.”
He growled louder, his muscles coiling as if he might literally spring from the bed and pounce on her. His hair was mussed from sleep; the shadow of a beard graced his jaw. It was so hot. The thought of seeing him in the same position – but completely naked – had her squeezing her legs together and swallowing a whimper or two. How could she have even thought about running away from something like that? Talk about self-delusional.
“I need a quick shower and to brush my teeth, too.”
Dear Lord, was he actually baring his teeth?
Faith forced herself into the bathroom and took a deep breath. Now that she’d made her peace with it, it all seemed quite simple really. They belonged together. Period.
––––––––
The suite rivaled the Goddess for space and comfort. Two bedrooms, both with queen-sized beds. Real dark wood furniture – not the cheap laminate-over-flake-board stuff. A spacious living area, complete with a sofa, two swiveling reclining chairs, and a sizable flat screen with stereo surround sound. There was even a small kitchenette with a sink, fridge, stove, microwave, and, thank God – a coffee maker.
Faith made a beeline for that. Opening one of the prepackaged filter-sugar-creamer bags, she set about making a pot. Kieran would forgive her for not heading straight back to bed, especially if she brought a cup of coffee for him, too.