Page 170 of Godless Saints

He leaned in, forehead against mine. “You’re fucking beautiful.”

I laughed and hit his shoulder. “You're such a dick.”

Cillian pulled out slowly.

Before I could even catch my breath he rolled us, pulling me on top of his chest and yanking the sheets over both of us in one smooth motion. His arms locked around my back, one hand splayed between my shoulder blades, the other tangled in my hair.

“I’ve been thinking about a new tattoo.”

“That’s fine,” I said, tracing a finger over his heart. “As long as it’s not my face or something stupid.”

“What’s wrong with your face on me? I love you on me.”

I pressed my palm over his heart. “What are you thinking?”

“I want your name over my heart. In Hangul. I’ve got Gaelic scripture, Catholic verses… but nothing of yours like this. I’m getting it done while we’re in Ireland.”

My fingers pressed harder against his chest. “I love that idea.”

“Maybe you’d like one too. My name on you. Or my fingerprint. Or just ‘Property of Cillian Ashbourne.’ You know.”

I hid my face in his neck. “I’m not writing ‘I am owned by Cillian Ashbourne’ on my body. I’m pretty sure everyone already knows that anyway. I don’t need it in ink.”

“Yeah… Property of Cillian Ashbourne. Now the real question… where can we put it?” His hands roamed, fingers dancing across my ribs, then my sides. I twitched hard.

“Stop—” Laughter bubbled out of me before I could stop it. I was stupidly ticklish and he knew every damn spot.

He flipped us, inspecting my body with mock seriousness, fingers skimming over my hip, then lower. “Right here on your ass feels perfect.”

I laughed harder and tried to scramble off the bed. Cillian caught me around the waist before I made it two feet, tackled me back onto the mattress, and pinned me down with his weight.

He smacked my ass. “Yeah. Right there on your ass.”

I was still laughing, breathless. “As if you’d ever let anyone touch my ass, let alone see it.”

“Good point.” His teeth grazed my neck. “I’ll have to get the job done myself.”

“No way.” I twisted under him, still laughing. “I’m never letting you tattoo anything on me.”

EPILOGUE 2

CILLIAN

Ashbourne House smelled like home—peat fire, roasted meat, faint salt of the sea. We sat around the big oak table, plates loaded, loud voices. Ma, Da, Keira, Lorcan, and Rory. Fifteen now and already built like a brick wall, all boxer energy and Ashbourne trouble.

Ma leaned forward, eyes warm on Moon. “So how’s Yuna doing, Hyun?”

Moon’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “She’s thriving in Aster Court. I only told her not to go near Thorn and no dating Thorn boys. I’m happy with that.”

I took a long drink. “Hey. Us Thorn boys aren’t that bad.”

Moon rolled his eyes, but his mouth twitched. “She’s actually dating an Aster guy, so—”

I leaned in. “You know that only makes it easier for them to fool around, aye? Remember you and me. I spent every fucking resource I had trying to get in your pants.”

Moon’s face went red. “Shush. Not in front of your parents. And we’re eating. Plus, Rory is sitting right there. He’s only fifteen.”

Ma pointed her fork at us, smiling. “Boys. Behave.”