“Damn,” Wyatt mumbles in quiet disbelief, breath gently fanning against my skin. He swallows hard and keeps me close.
Too drunk on what just happened to consider the consequences or implications, I can only cover my face and stifle a laugh.
God, I’m screwed.
Chapter 15 - Wyatt
Despite the exertion, I barely sleep through the night.
It’s almost impossible with Elena warm against my chest, hair splayed out behind her, cheek pressed against my chest. Her breaths are slow and even, which should be enough to lull me to sleep.
Knowing she’s still bare, skin to skin with me, stokes the heat in me all over again, but I keep the urge down as well as I can. At the very least, having her close helps.
But instead of resting as I should be, I stare at the ceiling all night, almost wishing it might give me the answers I need if I look long enough.
I shouldn’t have had sex with her.
That thought circles my mind again and again, regardless of how irritating it is.
Sleeping with her blurred every line, and whatever this started as no longer exists. I tried to be respectful of her dignity and her boundaries. I tried to keep this as professional as possible to not seem like I had any ulterior motives. Now, I’ve thrown that all away by being unable to resist her.
And even worse, I can’t trade her.
It started out as a shaky plan at best, but after knowing how it feels to touch her and to feel the way she moves for me, the idea makes my stomach clench.
I never wanted to hand her over like a bargaining chip anyway, even if it’s to her family in exchange for Lily.
The thought of having her taken away from me makes an almost irrational rage take hold of me, so sharp and visceral that I know I won’t be able to bring myself to do it.
Plan, sister, and survival aside, Elena’s mine. Both legally and emotionally.
That realization should scare me more than it does, but with last night fresh on my mind, nothing else seems to matter.
The problem is, wanting her doesn’t make the danger go away. If anything, it multiplies it tenfold.
As much as I want to stay in this bubble and pretend like I can be ignorant of every major family in this city that wants me dead, I can’t play the ghost forever. I need leverage that isn’t Elena, and more so, I need clarity.
For Christ's sake, I need a saving grace before my luck runs out and everything collapses.
Elena deserves the truth, I know she does, even if it costs me something.
Warm light filters in through the blinds now, golden enough not to be too early. Still, Elena stirs but doesn’t wake as I carefully pull away and leave the mattress.
Standing by the bedside, I watch her for a moment longer than necessary, silently admiring how peaceful she looks. How at ease she is, and not being her stubborn, defiant self, even if I secretly like that part of her.
Then, I pull on a pair of joggers before moving into the ensuite and running the bath.
I’m not one for baths, but I manage to find a hidden bottle of Epsom salts and soap, adding both to create a layer of bubbles on top. It isn’t as perfect as I’d like it to be for her, but it’s warm and relaxing, and that’s enough for now.
The condo is quiet, but this morning, it doesn’t feel heavy or empty. Instead, it’s comfortable, almost like it’s settling something in me. At least, the resolve I feel in my decision is more calming than I expected it to be.
Once the tub is full, a quiet voice in the back of my mind wonders what scents she’d prefer. Based on the other hygiene items she had me grab for her, she has a decadent taste. She likes the finer, more luxurious items that actually live up to their claims, and I can’t deny that she knows what she’s talking about.
Really, it’s not surprising.
By the time I make it back to the bedroom, Elena’s awake with the sheets pulled to her chest while she leans against the headboard.
Her eyes are on me immediately, looking both curious and a bit cautious. “Morning.”
