Courting Mortality (Brothers of Fate Book 1) by Allyson Lindt Page B

time. He slid out of her, and seconds later, wrapped his arms around her, keeping her from collapsing. He sank to the floor, helping her down, and pulled her into his lap.
    She curled up, and rested her head against his shoulder
    He brushed a loose strand of hair off her forehead, and kissed her lightly. His thumb traced tiny circles over her spine. “I’m so glad you came over tonight.” The hunger was gone from his voice, but the commanding power remained.
    She smiled, and rested more of her weight against him. “Me too.”

Chapter Eight
    The storm had cleared up at some point during the night, leaving the sky black except for the shock of white moon, and the snow untouched in Eli’s back yard. Like the front of his house, two entire walls of the bedroom were floor-to-ceiling windows. All he could see beyond the glass was a blanket of white over the trees that spanned most of his back yard.
    Moonlight splashed across the form next to him. She was still wrapped in sheets, but she’d kicked off the blankets sometime during the night.
    He’d have to say goodbye soon. He studied the way the cotton draped her naked form, hugging every seductive curve. He wouldn’t let himself admit he was going to miss her. That thought led to others, with more dangerous consequences.
    His hand hovered less than an inch from her face, as he followed the line of her cheek without ever touching her. Her dark hair spilled out over the white pillow cases.
    “Some people think that’s creepy.” Her mouth curled into a smile, but she didn’t open her eyes.
    “Waking up at this unholy hour?” He couldn’t help his smile at the teasing note in her voice. But he wouldn’t lean in and kiss her. He’d gotten that out of his system.
    “Watching someone sleep.” She finally looked at him, grin in place.
    They’d spent half the night exploring each other. She made the most incredible noises when she was turned on. They were even better when she came. But it should have been enough to get her out of his system. The only reason he hadn’t already sent her home was the roads were dangerous. Or at least, that’s what he tried to tell himself. “I was going to wake you up.”
    “Mhm…” She sat up, and the sheets fell away, exposing her bare breasts and perfect skin.
    He struggled to keep his attention on her face. “But I know you don’t have work, so I thought I’d let you sleep.”
    She ducked her head. “I haven’t slept that well in a long time.”
    He wanted to ask her to join him in the shower. To make one last memory. But he’d already pushed the limits of their relationship too far. He needed to stick to the same promises he’d coerced from her. “Can I make you breakfast?”
    She shook her head, and scooted to the edge of the bed. “I’m good. Thanks. I should let you have your privacy back.” If she noticed her clothes were folded on the chair next to her instead of still strewn across the living room, she didn’t say anything. He hadn’t been able to sleep, and the few times he’d managed to extract himself from her, he’d paced with no purpose, before crawling back into bed and wrapping himself around her again.
    She dressed in silence, not looking at him. Every inch of his instinct begged him to say something. To make the situation better. But he knew this was how it had to be. He had to let her go. He hated to be that asshole. But at least she’d still be alive at the end of the day.
    She stood, and impulse snaked through him. He shot his hand out and grabbed her wrist. “Wait.” When she didn’t struggle to break away, he tugged her back to the mattress.
    He knelt in front of her and rested his hands on her cheeks, forcing her to look at him. He let the sincerity fall into his voice. “I’m so glad you came over last night. That we have this memory. I will never, ever, forget it. Or you.” He kissed her hard, searing the moment into his thoughts, where he knew it would stay. “I’m sorry that’s