Page 51 of Savage Desires

Reghan gives me another squeeze and leaves after giving Kisten a shy smile and a little wave.

"Do you think she'll be okay?" I ask.

"Knowing her father won't be able to find her will go a long way to helping. If she takes advantage of all the resources at Hope House, she'll be fine."

It's a slight relief to hear him say that. I pray he's right because she deserves to live the rest of her life with peace and happiness.

Lexis is the last to come in. She's got a surprising amount of information about the mansion. It's obvious that Kisten is pleased by everything she tells us. It'll be a huge help when it comes time to take down that part of the trafficking ring. She's able to confirm that the Russians run things there, too. She tells us all about the men who run the day-to-day operation and the schedule for when they open for clients. Unfortunately, the auctions are more random, so there's no way to predict when they will have another one.

We spend over an hour talking with Lexis. When she leaves us alone in the office, my emotions are all over the place. Hearing Reghan's story and then everything that Lexis went through at the mansion has made my heart heavy from all the pain and suffering these bastards have caused. I know without a doubt that my choice to stay is the right one.

"Come here, beauty."

I don't hesitate to close the distance between us. He pulls me onto his lap when I'm within arm's reach. I cuddle against him, sighing when he wraps his arms around me.

"Are you okay, love?" he asks gently.

His fingers dance up and down my spine. My muscles relax with every touch, filling me with contentment.

"Yeah. It's just a lot."

"You've been through so much. No one will think poorly of you if you change your mind. You can still go to Hope House for a fresh start."

Even though I appreciate his offer, I can't stop myself from frowning. I know he's not trying to send me away, but it feels like it, and I hate it. "I'm doing this. I don't want to leave."

He hugs me tighter, a proud look on his face. "That's my little fighter."

Kisten and I sit quietly for a long while. Honestly, I could happily stay like this forever. I love how connected I feel to him. It's unlike anything I ever expected to have in my life. I'd given up hope for a better life. I did what I had to do to survive, but that's all I ever thought I'd have—surviving. Now, there's a different future at my fingertips, and I can't wait to experience it.

I hope being with him always feels like this. For once, my brain is calm. There are no whirling thoughts or memories weighing me down. In his arms, I can just be without having to stay on guard every second. It's truly incredible.

"I have to leave tomorrow," Kisten says, breaking the silence.

My heart drops. His fingers never stop stroking me even though I've gone rigid in his arms. I want to ask a million questions, but I bite my tongue from shouting the loudest one in my mind right now: What about me?

"Okay," I murmur.

"I need to meet with my team and start planning. I've already delayed longer than I'd like. Too much of a delay gives them time to shut down and relocate. So far, that hasn't happened, but I don't want to risk it."

I nod because I get it. Waiting is foolish. I would hate myself if he hesitated because of me and lost the advantage the information has provided.

"I understand. Will you come back for me soon?" I ask, trying to hide my disappointment.

He gives me an incredulous look. "You're coming with me, beauty. You're mine now, remember?"

Relief floods through me. He's not leaving me behind. He's keeping me like he said. I don't really think before I press my lips to his. I jerk back, almost falling off his lap when I realize what I've done. Kisten's strong hand on my hip keeps me in place. Then his fingers are in my hair, and he's pulling my lips back to his.

He's looking at me with such obvious possession that my breath freezes in my lungs. He doesn't ask for permission and isn't gentle as he crushes his lips to mine, kissing me deeply. I part my lips for his questing tongue, loving the slick slide of our tongues dancing together. My body temperature rises until I feel like I'm about to burn up from the inside out.

It's my second real kiss, and I'm already hooked.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

KISTEN

I was stunned when Willow pressed her lips to mine. I don't stay that way for long, especially when she jerks back and tries to take those plush lips away from me. I fist her hair and tip her head, then crush my lips to hers. I kiss her with all the pent-up need I've had since the first time I held her in my arms. I'll never tire of having her on my lap with her taste on my tongue.

I want nothing more than to lay her on that couch and kiss every inch of her body. I want to worship her and give her so much pleasure she will never want to leave me. I rein myself in, slowing the kiss to something sweeter. I show her how much she means to me with every brush of my lips and stroke of my tongue. I press light kisses to the corner of her mouth, nose, eyes, cheeks, forehead, chin… she makes a happy humming sound, her smile is beautiful. Unable to help myself, I give her lips another quick kiss.