The only hint he gives that the incident has worried him is when he insists I shouldn’t go out without the bodyguards—not that I would, anyway, since I’ve already promised Amos.
Amos.
He hasn’t called or texted since that first message we exchanged this morning.
I even wonder if his silence has something to do with my brother’s return—if somehow Ethan intervened again and asked him to back off, but I can’t be sure.
Either way, if I don’t hear from him again, I’ll call him tonight.
Right now, I need to focus on the little boy waiting for me.
I don’t want Bruno to know what happened. It would only make him feel more insecure.
Even before yesterday’s incident, Amos had told me he’d stationed men at the clinic to watch over him. Bruno is living proof against the organization, and I’m sure they wouldn’t hesitate to hurt him to cover their crimes.
So I’m not surprised when I see two more men standing at the entrance to the building. Once I pass the front desk, there are three more in the hallway, near the child’s room. For the first time, I truly grasp the scale of what we’re dealing with.
Trying to set my worries aside and focus on the beautiful, fragile boy I’m about to see, I put on my brightest smile and get ready to give him a few happy hours.
Three hours later, back at my building and still with no word from Amos, I jump when I open the door and find him in the apartment.
His face is more serious than usual, but I assume it’s because of everything that’s happened.
I walk over to him and wrap my arms around him, smiling, trying to ease his tension. “I thought you’d given up on me. I missed you so much.”
He doesn’t say anything but hugs me back, holding me tight against his body like he’ll never let me go.
“Amos?”
“Don’t say anything. Let me have you. Tell me you want this, Lilly.”
“I always want you, love. I told you once—I’ll never say no to you. I’m yours.”
I’m used to his urgency. It thrills me because it shows just how much he wants me. But this time, he doesn’t even take me to the bedroom; he starts undressing me right there in the living room.
I give myself over to his hands because I trust him. I know he won’t hurt me, even if the way he undresses me feels almost rough, as though he’s on the verge of losing control.
He lifts me in his arms and carries me to the couch, taking a step back to look at me.
I don’t feel shy anymore, because when Amos looks at me, it’s like I’m precious—sacred.
“I need to touch all of you, and I don’t know where to start. I want to be inside you over and over again. I won’t stop. I’ll never stop, Lilly.”
Something tightens in my chest, a sense of foreboding, but I push it away.
He’s probably still in shock from everything that’s happened. Even I haven’t fully processed that nightmare yet.
I stand, naked, and go to him. I start to undress him as he did with me. His hands never leave my body—stroking my back, my ass, my belly, my breasts. He teases between my thighs until I’m breathless and can’t remember my own name.
“You’re the sweetest temptation, Lillyana. And I can’t wait any longer.” His voice is low and needy.
“What, love? What do you need?”
“To be inside you.”
“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Your words are like a blanket, warming my frozen heart.”
