Page 148 of Outcast’s Vow

And he makes me climax first, the bastard. How could I not when he looks at me like that? When he makes those deep, unrestrained sounds? How he deftly maneuvers his fingers to tease me even while he fucks me hard?

And he follows quickly after. A raw finish of manly strength. Of a man finally at peace.

“I love you,” he snarls.

“I love you,” I whisper back, soft and tangled in his power.

He holds me tight. His eyes close. He kisses the inside of my wrists. For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel hunted. Or chased. Or controlled.

I feel loved.

“Now do you believe me?” he asks. “Now do you believe I’ll never leave?”

58

BAPTISTE

I sip my coffee and log into the online meeting on my laptop, sitting on the same couch I enjoyed with Sylvie last night. She’s out now, at the university, sorting out her course. She’s trying to get herself enrolled again and undo the damage that was done to her in my absence. My wife may be gone, but her scent lingers in the penthouse, sweet and soft.

It’s the best scent in the entire fucking world.

On the screen, my employees are waiting for me to start the meeting. I’m linked up with my teams in London, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, and here at home.

I stare down the laptop lens.

“Okay, give me the lowdown.”

Even though I disappeared for a few weeks, I’m launching straight back into my business not even a full day after that near life-or-death judgment call yesterday. I sit back and finish my coffee as my team, in turn, presents a detailed report on what’s happening with my tech company. Ever since that bothersome federal contract was finally approved, investor confidence has skyrocketed.

And I have only Sylvie to thank for that. Her and Eleanor.

Yes, there are some fires to put out, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. In fact, I enjoy the challenge.

I can’t believe the turnaround since last night. Now I’m back home. With Sylvie. And we can barely keep our hands off each other.

As I preside over the meeting, a joint message from Fabien and Clement appears on my screen. They’re planning another poker night now that I’m back in town.

I reply to the boys. It’s on.

Fully caught up on what I need, I end the international online meeting and stand up to stretch.

God, my wife knows how to tire me out.

I stroll to the edge of my balcony and look out over New York City. I think about my wife, getting back into her studies, resuming her life of freedom. She deserves nothing less.

My moment of peace lasts but a moment. My phone rings.

I pull it out, and I see the name on the screen.

Elwood Levine. He’s calling me.

This can’t be good.

I pick up.

“Hello, Elwood.”

“I’m assuming my daughter is not at home?” the Supreme Elder of the Castaways asks.