Page 83 of Tempest’s Torment

His forehead drops to mine, and I wrap my arms around him, holding him closer. I understand now. He's not just telling me his name; he's telling me where I belong.

His name on my lips undoes him. He grinds against me, grounding me, and for a second, we’re gone, just need and skin, and the way he says my name over and over, like a promise. It’s wonderful, right up until we’re both spent.

He collapses, relaxing just enough of his weight to pin me under him, and for a long, sticky heartbeat, neither of us moves. The room is quiet but for our breathing, jagged and uneven.

My head spins, my body loose and boneless against the sheets. His hand finds my hair, fisting gently at the nape of my neck, and he kisses my jaw, then my temple, like he can’t quite stop.

He moves onto his back and pulls me with him, tucking me against his side. I trace one of the tattoos on his chest with the tip of my finger, following the black ink without really paying attention to where it goes.

Kai.

I smile against his shoulder and his hand moves lazily up and down my back. "What?" he asks.

"Nothing."

"You're smiling."

"Maybe I'm happy."

His hand stills for a second before continuing. "Good."

Of course that's all I get. I lift my head and look at him. "You hungry?"

"Always."

I laugh. "I can make breakfast."

"You don't have to feed me."

"You're in my bed. I think breakfast is the least I can do."

I start to move, but his arm tightens around my waist and pulls me straight back against him.

A laugh escapes me. "Kai."

His eyes meet mine, and there it is again. That tiny change in his expression when I use his name. I like it.

"What?" he asks.

"We need to get up."

"Do we?"

"Eventually."

"Not what you said." I roll my eyes, but I'm still smiling, and he pushes my hair away from my face. "I meant what I said last night."

My smile fades a little. "I know."

"I'm staying, Lilah."

I look at him, there's no hesitation in his face, no uncertainty. Just Kai. The man who's spent days sleeping on my sofa, checking my locks, and making me safe. The man who let me pull him into my bed last night because I asked him to; and now I know his name.

I lean down and kiss him. "I like you here."

His hand settles at the back of my neck. "Good."

"That's it?"